From  the  Boston  Daily  Advertiser. 

THE  "NO  NAME  SERIES." 
"LEIGH  HUNT,  in  his  '  Indica^r]  has  a  pleasant  ch\ 
m  the  difficulty  he  encountered  in  seeking  a  suitable  and 
itle  for  a  collection  of  his  miscellaneous  writings.  M  \ 
Roberts  Brothers  have  just  overcome  a  similar  diffictil] 
he  simplest  manner.  In  selecting  "  No  NAME,"  they  : 
•elected,  the  very  best  title  possible  for  a  series  of  Orit\ 
American  Novels  and  Tales,  to  be  published  Anonymo\ 
These  novels  are  to  be  written  by  eminent  authors,  a)\ 
•ach  case  the  authorship  of  the  work  is  to  remain  an  invu: 
•ecret.  "  No  Name  "  describes  the  Series  perfectly.  No  f 
mil  help  the  novel,  or  the  story,  to  success.  Its  success^ 
iepend  solely  on  the  writer's  ability  to  catch  and  retaify 
•eader's  interest.  Several  of  the  most  distinguished  w\\ 
if  American  fiction  have  agreed  to  contribute  to  the  ^| 
he  initial  volume  of  which  is  now  in  press.  Its  appea  \ 
vill  certainly  be  awaited  with  curiosity" 


The  plan  thus  happily  foreshadowed  will  be  immedial 
naugurated  by  the  publication  of  "MERCY  PHILBRIC'V 
CHOICE,"  from  the  pen  of  a  well-known  and  successful  wriij 
»f  fiction. 

It  is  intended  to  include  in  the  Series  a  volume  of  anonymq 
>oems  from  famous  hands,  to  be  wr^^^^^rially  for  it. 

The  "  No  Name  Series  "  will  |H  BHfeonvenient  inta 
handsome  library  form, 

ROBERTS 

rimer,  1876. 


NO    NAME    SERIES. 

is  THE  GENTLEMAN  ANONYMOUS ?    Is  HE  A  GREAT  UNKNOWN  ? " 

DANIEL  DERONDA. 


!MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 


BOSTON: 

ROBERTS      BROTHERS. 
1877. 


Copyright,  1877, 
BY  ROBERTS  BROTHERS. 


"T/ie  Indescribable, 
Here  it  is  done  : 
The  Woman- Soul  leadeth  us 
Upward  and  on  !  " 

Second  Part  of  FAUST. 


1711110 


A    MODERN     MEPHISTOPHELES. 


I. 


"\T7ITHOUT,    a    midwinter  twilight,   where 
wandering  snowflakes  eddied  in  the  bit 
ter  wind  between  a  leaden  sky  and  frost-bound 
earth. 

Within,  a  garret ;  gloomy,  bare,  and  cold  as  the 
bleak  night  coming  down. 

A  haggard  youth  knelt  before  a  little  furnace, 
kindling  a  fire,  with  an  expression  of  quiet  des 
peration  on  his  face,  which  made  the  simple 
operation  strange  and  solemn. 

A  pile  of  manuscript  lay  beside  him,  and  in 
the  hollow  eyes  that  watched  the  white  leaves 
burn  was  a  tragic  shadow,  terrible  to  see, — for  he 
.was  offering  the  first-born  of  heart  and  brain  as 
sacrifice  to  a  hard  fate. 

Slowly  the  charcoal  caught  and  kindled,  while 
a  light  smoke  filled  the  room.  Slowly  the 
youth  staggered  up,  and,  gathering  the  torn 


8  A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

sheets,  thrust  them  into  his  bosom,  muttering 
bitterly,  "  Of  all  my  hopes  and  dreams,  my  weary 
work  and  patient  waiting,  nothing  is  left  but  this. 
Poor  little  book,  we'll  go  together,  and  leave  no 
trace  behind." 

Throwing  himself  into  a  chair,  he  laid  his  head 
down  upon  the  table,  where  no  food  had  been  for 
days,  and,  closing  his  eyes,  waited  in  stern  silence 
for  death  to  come  and  take  him. 

Nothing  broke  the  stillness  but  the  soft  crackle 
of  the  fire,  which  began  to  flicker  with  blue 
tongues  of  flame,  and  cast  a  lurid  glow  upon  the 
motionless  figure  with  its  hidden  face.  Deeper 
grew  the  wintry  gloom  without,  ruddier  shone 
the  fateful  gleam  within,  and  heavy  breaths  be 
gan  to  heave  the  breast  so  tired  of  life. 

Suddenly  a  step  sounded  on  the  stair,  a  hand 
knocked  at  the  door,  and  when  no  answer  came, 
a  voice  cried,  "  Open  !  "  in  a  commanding  tone, 
which  won  instant  obedience,  and  dispelled  the 
•deathful  trance  fast  benumbing  every  sense. 

"The  devil!"  ejaculated  the  same  imperious 
voice,  as  the  door  swung  open,  letting  a  cloud  of 
noxious  vapor  rush  out  to  greet  the  new-comer,  — 
a  man  standing  tall  and  dark  against  the  outer 
gloom. 

"  Who  is  it  ?  Oh  !  come  in !  "  gasped  the  youth, 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.  9 

falling   back  faint  and   dizzy,  as   the  fresh  air 
smote  him  in  the  face. 

"  I  cannot,  till  you  make  it  safe  for  me  to  en 
ter.  I  beg  pardon  if  I  interrupt  your  suicide ;  I 
came  to  help  you  live,  but  if  you  prefer  the  other 
thing,  say  so,  and  I  will  take  myself  away  again," 
said  the  stranger,  pausing  on  the  threshold,  as 
his  quick  eye  took  in  the  meaning  of  the  scene 
before  him. 

"  For  God's  sake,  stay  ! "  and,  rushing  to  the 
window,  the  youth  broke  it  with  a  blow,  caught 
up  the  furnace,  and  set  it  out  upon  the  snowy 
roof,  where  it  hissed  and  glowed  like  an  evil 
thing,  while  he  dragged  forth  his  one  chair,  and 
waited,  trembling,  for  his  unknown  guest  to  enter. 

"  For  my  own  sake,  rather :  I  want  excitement ; 
and  this  looks  as  if  I  might  find  it  here,"  mut 
tered  the  man  with  a  short  laugh,  as  he  watched 
the  boy,  calmly  curious,  till  a  gust  of  fresh  air 
swept  through  the  room,  making  him  shiver  with 
its  sharp  breath. 

"Jasper  Helwyze,  at  your  service,"  he  added 
aloud,  stepping  in,  and  accepting  courteously  the 
only  hospitality  his  poor  young  host  could  offer. 

The  dim  light  and  shrouding  cloak  showed 
nothing  but  a  pale,  keen  face,  with  dark  pene 
trating  eyes,  and  a  thin  hand,  holding  a  paper  on 
i* 


10         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

which  the  youth  recognized  the  familiar  words, 
"  Felix  Canaris." 

"  My  name  !  You  came  to  help  me  ?  What 
good  angel  sent  you,  sir  ? "  he  exclaimed,  with  a 
thrill  of  hope,  —  for  in  the  voice,  the  eye,  the 
hand  that  held  the  card  with  such  tenacious 
touch,  he  saw  and  felt  the  influence  of  a  stronger 
nature,  and  involuntarily  believed  in  and  clung 
to  it. 

"  Your  bad  angel,  you  might  say,  since  it  was 
the  man  who  damned  your  book  and  refused  the 
aid  you  asked  of  him,"  returned  the  stranger,  in 
a  suave  tone,  which  contrasted  curiously  with  the 
vigor  of  his  language.  "  A  mere  chance  led  me 
there  to-day,  and  my  eye  fell  upon  a  letter  lying 
open  before  him.  The  peculiar  hand  attracted 
me,  and  Forsythe,  being  in  the  midst  of  your 
farewell  denunciation,  read  it  out,  and  told  your 
story." 

"  And  you  were  laughing  at  my  misery  while 
I  was  making  ready  to  end  it  ? "  said  the  youth, 
with  a  scornful  quiver  of  the  sensitive  lips  that 
uttered  the  reproach. 

"  We  all  laugh  at  such  passionate  folly  when 
we  have  outlived  it.  You  will,  a  year  hence ;  so 
bear  no  malice,  but  tell  me  briefly  if  you  can 
forget  poetry,  and  be  content  with  prose  for  a 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.          1 1 

time.  In  plain  words,  can  you  work  instead  of 
dream  ? " 

"  I  can." 

"  Good  !  then  come  to  me  for  a  month.  I  have 
been  long  from  home,  and  my  library  is  neglected  ; 
I  have  much  for  you  to  do,  and  believe  you  are 
the  person  I  want,  if  Forsythe  tells  the  truth. 
He  says  your  father  was  a  Greek,  your  mother 
English,  both  dead,  and  you  an  accomplished, 
ambitious  young  man  who  thinks  himself  a 
genius,  and  will  not  forgive  the  world  for  doubt 
ing  what  he  has  failed  to  prove.  Am  I  right  ? " 

"  Quite  right.  Add  also  that  I  am  friendless, 
penniless,  and  hopeless  at  nineteen." 

A  brief,  pathetic  story,  more  eloquently  told  by 
the  starvation  written  on  the  pinched  face,  the 
squalor  of  the  scanty  garments,  and  the  despair 
in  the  desperate  eye,  than  by  the  words  uttered 
with  almost  defiant  bluntness. 

The  stranger  read  the  little  tragedy  at  a 
glance,  and  found  the  chief  actor  to  his  taste; 
for  despite  his  hard  case  he  possessed  beauty, 
youth,  and  the  high  aspirations  that  die  hard,  — 
three  gifts  often  peculiarly  attractive  to  those 
who  have  lost  them  all. 

"  Wait  a  month,  and  you  may  find  that  you 
have  earned  friends,  money,  and  the  right  to 


12         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

hope  again.  At  nineteen,  one  should  have 
courage  to  face  the  world,  and  master  it." 

"  Show  me  how,  and  I  will  have  courage.  A 
word  of  sympathy  has  already  made  it  possible 
to  live ! "  and,  seizing  the  hand  that  offered  help, 
Canaris  kissed  it  with  the  impulsive  grace  and 
ardor  of  his  father's  race. 

"  When  can  you  come  to  me  ?  "  briefly  deman 
ded  Helwyze,  gathering  his  cloak  about  him  as 
he  rose,  warned  by  the  waning  light. 

"  At  once,  to-night,  if  you  will !  I  possess 
nothing  in  the  world  but  the  poor  clothes  that 
were  to  have  been  my  shroud,  and  the  relics  of 
the  book  with  which  I  kindled  my  last  fire," 
answered  the  youth,  with  eager  eyes,  and  an 
involuntary  shiver  as  the  bitter  wind  blew  in 
from  the  broken  window. 

"  Come,  then,  else  a  mightier  master  than  I 
may  claim  you  before  dawn,  for  it  will  be  an 
awful  night.  Put  out  your  funeral  pyre,  Canaris, 
wrap  your  shroud  well  about  you,  gather  up  your 
relics,  and  follow  me.  I  can  at  least  give  you  a 
warmer  welcome  than  I  have  received,"  added 
Helwyze,  with  that  sardonic  laugh  of  his,  as  he 
left  the  room. 

Before  he  had  groped  his  slow  way  down  the 
long  stairs  the  youth  joined  him,  and  side  by 
side  they  went  out  into  the  night. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.          13 

A  month  later  the  same  pair  sat  together  in 
a  room  that  was  a  dream  of  luxury.  A  noble 
library,  secluded,  warm,  and  still ;  the  reposeful 
atmosphere  that  students  love  pervaded  it ;  rare 
books  lined  its  lofty  walls :  poets  and  philoso 
phers  looked  down  upon  their  work  with  immor 
tal  satisfaction  on  their  marble  countenances  ; 
and  the  two  living  occupants  well  became  their 
sumptuous  surroundings. 

Helwyze  leaned  in  a  great  chair  beside  a  table 
strewn  with  books  which  curiously  betrayed  the 
bent  of  a  strong  mind  made  morbid  by  physical 
suffering.  Dore's  "  Dante  "  spread  its  awful  pages 
before  him  ;  the  old  Greek  tragedies  were  scat 
tered  about, and  Goethe's  "  Faust"  was  in  his  hand. 
An  unimpressive  figure  at  first  sight,  this  frail- 
looking  man,  whose  age  it  would  be  hard  to  tell ; 
for  pain  plays  strange  pranks,  and  sometimes 
preserves  to  manhood  a  youthful  delicacy  in  re 
turn  for  the  vigor  it  destroys.  But  at  a  second 
glance  the  eye  was  arrested  and  interest  aroused, 
for  an  indefinable  expression  of  power  pervaded 
the  whole  face,  beardless,  thin-lipped,  sharply 
cut,  and  colorless  as  ivory.  A  stray  lock  or 
two  of  dark  hair  streaked  the  high  brow,  and 
below  shone  the  controlling  feature  of  this  singu 
lar  countenance,  a  pair  of  eyes,  intensely  black, 


14         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

and  so  large  they  seemed  to  burden  the  thin 
face.  Violet  shadows  encircled  them,  telling  of 
sleepless  nights,  days  of  languor,  and  long  years 
of  suffering,  borne  with  stern  patience.  But  in 
the  eyes  themselves  all  the  vitality  of  the  man's 
indomitable  spirit  seemed  concentrated,  intense 
and  brilliant  as  a  flame,  which  nothing  could 
quench.  By  turns  melancholy,  meditative,  pierc 
ing,  or  contemptuous,  they  varied  in  expression 
with  startling  rapidity,  unless  mastered  by  an 
art  stronger  than  nature  ;  attracting  or  repelling 
with  a  magnetism  few  wills  could  resist. 

Propping  his  great  forehead  on  his  hand,  he 
read,  motionless  as  a  statue,  till  a  restless  move 
ment  made  him  glance  up  at  his  companion, 
and  fall  to  studying  him  with  a  silent  scrutiny 
which  in  another  would  have  softened  to  admi 
ration,  for  Canaris  was  scarcely  less  beautiful 
than  the  Narcissus  in  the  niche  behind  him. 

An  utter  contrast  to  his  patron,  for  youth 
lent  its  vigor  to  the  well-knit  frame,  every  limb 
of  which  was  so  perfectly  proportioned  that 
strength  and  grace  were  most  harmoniously 
blended.  Health  glowed  in  the  rich  coloring 
of  the  classically  moulded  face,  and  lurked  in  the 
luxuriant  locks  which  clustered  in  glossy  rings 
from  the  low  brow  to  the  white  throat.  Happi- 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         15 

ness  shone  in  the  large  dreamy  eyes  and  smiled 
on  the  voluptuous  lips  ;  while  an  indescribable 
expression  of  fire  and  force  pervaded  the  whole, 
redeeming  its  beauty  from  effeminacy. 

A  gracious  miracle  had  been  wrought  in  that 
month,  for  the  haggard  youth  was  changed  into 
a  wonderfully  attractive  young  man,  whose  nat 
ural  ease  and  elegance  fitted  him  to  adorn  that 
charming  place,  as  well  as  to  enjoy  the  luxury 
his  pleasure-loving  senses  craved. 

The  pen  had  fallen  from  his  hand,  and  lying 
back  in  his  chair  with  eyes  fixed  on  vacancy,  he 
seemed  dreaming  dreams  born  of  the  unexpected 
prosperity  which  grew  more  precious  with  each 
hour  of  its  possession. 

"  Youth  surely  is  the  beauty  of  the  devil,  and 
that  boy  might  have  come  straight  from  the 
witches'  kitchen  and  the  magic  draught," 
thought  Helwyze,  as  he  closed  his  book,  adding 
to  himself  with  a  daring  expression,  "  Of  all  the 
visions  haunting  his  ambitious  brain  not  one  is 
so  wild  and  wayward  as  the  fancy  which  haunts 
mine.  Why  not  play  fate,  and  finish  what  I  have 
begun  ? " 

A  pause  fell,  more  momentous  than  either 
dreamed  ;  then  it  was  abruptly  broken. 

"  Felix,  the  time  is  up." 


1 6         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  It  is,  sir.  Am  I  to  go  or  stay  ? "  and  Cana- 
ris  rose,  looking  half-bewildered  as  his  brilliant 
castles  in  the  air  dissolved  like  mist  before  a 
sudden  gust. 

"  Stay,  if  you  will ;  but  it  is  a  quiet  life  for 
such  as  you,  and  I  am  a  dull  companion.  Could 
you  bear  it  for  a  year  ?  " 

"For  twenty  !  Sir,  you  have  been  most  kin  if 
and  generous,  and  this  month  has  seemed  like 
heaven,  after  the  bitter  want  you  took  me  from. 
Let  me  show  gratitude  by  faithful  service,  if  I 
can,"  exclaimed  the  young  man,  coming  to  stand 
before  his  master,  as  he  chose  to  call  his  bene 
factor,  for  favors  were  no  burden  yet. 

"  No  thanks,  I  do  it  for  my  own  pleasure.  It 
is  not  every  one  who  can  have  antique  beauty 
in  flesh  and  blood  as  well  as  marble ;  I  have  a 
fancy  to  keep  my  handsome  secretary  as  the  one 
ornament  my  library  lacked  before." 

Canaris  reddened  like  a  girl,  and  gave  a  dis 
dainful  shrug ;  but  vanity  was  tickled,  never 
theless,  and  he  betrayed  it  by  the  sidelong 
glance  he  stole  towards  the  polished  doors  of 
glass  reflecting  his  figure  like  a  mirror. 

"  Nay,  never  frown  and  blush,  man  ;  '  beauty  is 
its  own  excuse  for  being,'  and  you  may  thank 
the  gods  for  yours,  since  but  for  that  I  should 


A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.          1 7 

send  you  away  to  fight  your  dragons  single- 
handed,"  said  Helwyze,  with  a  covert  smile,  add 
ing,  as  he  leaned  forward  to  read  the  face  which 
could  wear  no  mask  for  him,  "  Come,  you  shall 
give  me  a  year  of  your  liberty,  and  I  will  help 
you  to  prove  Forsythe  a  liar." 

"  You  will  bring  out  my  book  ? "  cried  Canaris, 
clasping  his  hands  as  a  flash  of  joy  irradiated 
every  lineament. 

"  Why  not  ?  and  satisfy  the  hunger  that  tor 
ments  you,  though  you  try  to  hide  it.  f  cannot 
promise  success,  but  I  can  promise  a  fair  trial ; 
and  if  you  stand  the  test,  fame  and  fortune 
will  come  together.  Love  and  happiness  you 
can  seek  for  at  your  own  good  pleasure." 

"  You  have  divined  my  longing.  I  do  hunger 
and  thirst  for  fame ;  I  dream  of  it  by  night,  I 
sigh  for  it  by  day  ;  every  thought  and  aspiration 
centres  in  that  desire;  and  if  I  did  not  still 
cling  to  that  hope,  even  the  perfect  home  you 
offer  me  would  seem  a  prison.  I  must  have  it ; 
the  success  men  covet  and  admire,  suffer  and 
strive  for,  and  die  content  if  they  win  it  only  for 
'a  little  time.  Give  me  this  and  I  am  yours,  body 
and  soul ;  I  have  nothing  else  to  offer." 

Canaris  spoke  with  passionate  energy,  and 
flung  out  his  hand  as  if  he  cast  himself  at  the 


1 8          A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

other's  feet,  a  thing  of  little  worth  compared  to 
the  tempting  prize  for  which  he  lusted. 

Helwyze  took  the  hand  in  a  light,  cold  clasp, 
that  tightened  slowly  as  he  answered  with  the 
look  of  one  before  whose  will  «.!!  obstacles  go 
down, — 

"  Done  !  Now  show  me  the  book,  and  let  us 
see  if  we  cannot  win  this  time." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.          19 


II. 


IVTOTHING  stirred  about  the  vine-clad  villa, 
except  the  curtains  swaying  in  the  balmy 
wind,  that  blew  up  from  a  garden  where  mid 
summer  warmth  brooded  over  drowsy  flowers 
and  whispering  trees.  The  lake  below  gleamed 
like  a  mirror  garlanded  about  with  water-lilies, 
opening  their  white  bosoms  to  the  sun.  The 
balcony  above  burned  with  deep-hearted  roses 
pouring  out  their  passionate  perfume,  as  if  in 
rivalry  of  the  purple  heliotrope,  which  overflowed 
great  urns  on  either  side  of  the  stone  steps. 

Nothing  broke  the  silence  but  the  breezy 
rustle,  the  murmurous  lapse  of  waters  upon  a 
quiet  shore,  and  now  and  then  the  brief  carol  of 
a  bird  waking  from  its  noontide  sleep.  A  ham 
mock  swung  at  one  end  of  the  balcony,  but  it 
was  empty;  open  doors  showed  the  wide  hall 
tenanted  only  by  statues  gleaming,  cool  and  coy, 
in  shadowy  nooks  ;  and  the  spirit  of  repose 
seemed  to  haunt  the  lovely  spot. 

For  an  hour  the  sweet  spell  lasted  ;  then  it  was 


20         A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

broken  by  the  faint,  far-off  warble  of  a  woman's 
voice,  which  seemed  to  wake  the  sleeping  palace 
into  life  ;  for,  as  if  drawn  by  the  music,  a  young 
man  came  through  the  garden,  looking  as  Fer 
dinand  might,  when  Ariel  led  him  to  Miranda. 

Too  beautiful  for  a  man  he  was,  and  seemed  to 
protest  against  it  by  a  disdainful  negligence  of 
all  the  arts  which  could  enhance  the  gracious 
gift.  A  picturesque  carelessness  marked  his 
costume,  the  luxuriant  curls  that  covered  his 
head  were  in  riotous  confusion ;  and  as  he  came 
into  the  light  he  stretched  his  limbs  with  the 
graceful  abandon  of  a  young  wood-god  rousing 
from  his  drowse  in  some  green  covert. 

Swinging  a  knot  of  lilies  in  his  hand,  he  saun 
tered  up  the  long  path,  listening  with  a  smile,  for 
as  the  voice  drew  nearer  he  recognized  both  song 
and  singer. 

"  Little  Gladys  must  not  see  me,  or  she  will 
end  her  music  too  soon,"  he  whispered  to  himself  ; 
and,  stepping  behind  the  great  vase,  he  peered 
between  the  plumy  sprays  to  watch  the  coming 
of  the  voice  that  made  his  verses  doubly  melodi 
ous  to  their  creator's  ear. 

Through  the  shadowy  hall  there  came  a  slender 
creature  in  a  quaint  white  gown,  who  looked  as 
if  she  might  have  stepped  down  from  the  marble 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         21 

Hebe's  pedestal  ;  for  there  was  something  won 
derfully  virginal  and  fresh  about  the  maidenly 
figure  with  its  deep,  soft  eyes,  pale  hair,  and 
features  clearly  cut  as  a  fine  cameo.  Emerging 
from  the  gloom  into  a  flood  of  sunshine,  which 
touched  her  head  with  a  glint  of  gold,  and  brought 
out  in  strong  relief  the  crimson  cover  of  the 
book,  held  half-closed  against  her  breast,  she 
came  down  the  steps,  still  singing  softly  to  herself. 

A  butterfly  was  sunning  its  changeful  wings 
on  the  carved  balustrade,  and  she  paused  to  watch 
it,  quite  unconscious  of  the  picture  she  made,  or 
the  hidden  observer  who  enjoyed  it  with  the  de 
light  of  one  whose  senses  were  keenly  alive  to 
all  that  ministers  to  pleasure.  A  childish  act 
enough,  but  it  contrasted  curiously  with  the  words 
she  sung,  —  fervid  words,  that  seemed  to  drop 
lingeringly  from  her  lips  as  if  in  a  new  language ; 
lovely,  yet  half  learned. 

"  Pretty  thing  !  I  wish  I  could  sketch  her  as 
she  stands,  and  use  her  as  an  illustration  to  that 
song.  No  nightingale  ever  had  a  sweeter  voice 
for  a  love-lay  than  this  charming  girl,"  thought 
the  flattered  listener,  as,  obeying  a  sudden  im 
pulse,  he  flung  up  the  lilies,  stepped  out  from  his 
ambush,  and  half -said,  half-sung,  as  he  looked  up 
with  a  glance  of  mirthful  meaning,  — 


22         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Like  a  high-born  maiden 

In  a  palace  tower, 
Soothing  her  love-laden 

Soul  in  secret  hour, 
With  music  sweet  as  love  which  overflows  her  bower." 

The  flowers  dropped  at  her  feet,  and,  leaning 
forward  with  the  supple  grace  of  girlhood,  she 
looked  down  to  meet  the  dangerous  dark  eyes, 
while  her  own  seemed  to  wake  and  deepen  with 
a  sudden  light  as  beautiful  as  the  color  which 
dawned  in  her  innocent  face.  Not  the  quick  red 
of  shame,  nor  the  glow  of  vanity,  but  a  slow,  soft 
flush  like  the  shadow  of  a  rosy  cloud  on  snow.  No 
otherwise  disconcerted,  she  smiled  back  at  him, 
and  answered  with  unexpected  aptness,  in  lines 
that  were  a  truer  compliment  than  his  had 
been,  — 

"  Like  a  poet  hidden 

In  the  light  of  thought, 
Singing  hymrts  unbidden, 

Till  the  world  is  wrought 
To  sympathy  with  hopes  and  fears  it  heeded  not." 

It  was  this  charm  of  swift  and  subtle  sympathy 
which  made  the  girl  seem  sometimes  like  the 
embodied  spirit  of  all  that  was  most  high  and 
pure  in  his  own  wayward  but  aspiring  nature. 
And  this  the  spell  that  drew  him  to  her  now, 
glad  to  sun  himself  like  the  butterfly  in  the  light 
of  eyes  so  clear  and  candid,  that  he  could  read 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         23 

therein  the  emotions  of  a  maiden  heart  just 
opening  to  its  first,  half-conscious  love. 

Springing  up  the  steps,  he  said  with  the 
caressing  air  as  native  to  him  as  his  grace  of 
manner.  "  Sit  here  and  weave  a  pretty  garland 
for  your  hair,  while  I  thank  you  for  making  my 
poor  verses  beautiful.  Where  did  you  find  the 
air  that  fits  those  words  so  well  ? " 

"  It  came  itself ;  as  the  song  did,  I  think,"  she 
answered  simply,  as  she  obeyed  him,  and  began 
to  braid  the  long  brown  stems,  shaping  a  chaplet 
fit  for  Undine. 

"Ah!  you  will  never  guess  how  that  came!" 
he  said,  sitting  at  her  feet  to  watch  the  small 
fingers  at  their  pretty  work.  But  though  his 
eyes  rested  there,  they  grew  absent ;  and  he 
seemed  to  fall  into  a  reverie  not  wholly  pleasant, 
for  he  knit  his  brows  as  if  the  newly  won  laurel 
wreath  sat  uneasily  upon  a  head  which  seemed 
made  to  wear  it. 

Gladys  watched  him  in  reverential  silence  till 
he  became  conscious  of  her  presence  again,  and 
gave  her  leave  to  speak,  with  a  smile  which  had 
in  it  something  of  the  condescension  of  an  idol 
towards  its  devoutest  worshipper. 

"  Were  you  making  poetry,  then  ? "  she  asked, 
with  the  frank  curiosity  of  a  child. 


24         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  No,  I  was  wondering  where  I  should  be  now 
if  I  had  never  made  any ; "  and  he  looked  at  the 
summer  paradise  around  him  with  an  involun 
tary  shiver,  as  if  a  chill  wind  had  blown  upon 
him. 

"  Think  rather  what  you  will  write  next.  It 
is  so  lovely  I  want  more,  although  I  do  not  un 
derstand  all  this,"  touching  the  book  upon  her 
knee  with  a  regretful  sigh. 

"  Neither  do  I ;  much  of  it  is  poor  stuff, 
Gladys.  Do  not  puzzle  your  sweet  wits  over  it." 

"  That  is  because  you  are  so  modest.  People 
say  true  genius  is  always  humble." 

"  Then,  I  am  not  a  true  genius  ;  for  I  am  as 
proud  as  Lucifer." 

"You  may  well  be  proud  of  such  work  as 
this ; "  and  she  carefully  brushed  a  fallen  petal 
from  the  silken  cover. 

"But  I  am  not  proud  of  that.  At  times  I 
almost  hate  it ! "  exclaimed  the  capricious  poet, 
impetuously,  then  checked  himself,  and  added 
more  composedly,  "  I  mean  to  do  so  much  better, 
that  this  first  attempt  shall  be  forgotten." 

"  I  think  you  will  never  do  better ;  for  this 
came  from  your  heart,  without  a  thought  of  what 
the  world  would  say.  Hereafter  all  you  write 
may  be  more  perfect  in  form  but  less  true  in 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         2$ 

spirit,  because  you  will  have  the  fear  of  the 
world,  and  loss  of  fame  before  your  eyes." 

"  How  can  you  know  that  ?  "  he  asked,  won 
dering  that  this  young  girl,  so  lately  met,  should 
read  him  so  well,  and  touch  a  secret  doubt  that 
kept  him  idle  after  the  first  essay,  which  had 
been  a  most  flattering  success. 

"  Nay,  I  do  not  know,  I  only  feel  as  if  it  must 
be  so.  I  always  sing  best  when  alone,  and  the 
thought  of  doing  it  for  praise  or  money  spoils 
the  music  to  my  ear." 

"  I  feel  as  if  it  would  be  possible  to  do  any 
thing  here,  and  forget  that  there  is  a  world  out 
side." 

"  Then  it  is  not  dull  to  you  ?  I  am  glad,  for  I 
thought  it  would  be,  because  so  many  people 
want  you,  and  you  might  choose  many  gayer 
places  in  which  to  spend  your  summer  holi 
day." 

"  I  have  no  choice  in  this  ;  yet  I  was  willing 
enough  to  come.  The  first  time  is  always 
pleasant,  and  I  am  tired  of  the  gayer  places," 
he  said,  with  a  blast  air  that  ill  concealed  how 
sweet  the  taste  of  praise  had  been  to  one  who 
hungered  for  it. 

"  Yet  it  must  seem  very  beautiful  to  be  so 
sought,  admired,  and  loved,"  the  girl  said  wist- 


26         A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

fully,  for  few  of  fortune's  favors  had  fallen  into 
her  lap  as  yet. 

"  It  is,  and  I  was  intoxicated  with  the  wine  of 
success  for  a  time.  But  after  all,  I  find  a  bitter 
drop  in  it,  for  there  is  always  a  higher  step  to 
take,  a  brighter  prize  to  win,  and  one  is  never 
satisfied." 

He  paused  an  instant  with  the  craving  yet 
despondent  look  poets  and  painters  wear  as  they 
labor  for  perfection  in  "  a  divine  despair  ;  "  then 
added,  in  a  tone  of  kindly  satisfaction  which  rung 
true  on  the  sensitive  ear  that  listened,  — 

"  But  all  that  nonsense  pleases  Helwyze,  and 
he  has  so  few  delights,  I  would  not  rob  him  of 
one  even  so  small  as  this,  for  I  owe  every  thing 
to  him,  you  know." 

"  I  do  not  know.     May  I  ?  " 

"  You  may  ;  for  I  want  you  to  like  my  friend, 
and  now  I  think  you  only  fear  him." 

"  Mr.  Canaris,  I  do  not  dislike  your  friend. 
He  has  been  most  kind  to  me,  I  am  grieved  if 
I  seem  ungrateful,"  murmured  Gladys,  with  a 
vague  trouble  in  her  artless  face,  for  she  had  no 
power  to  explain  the  instinctive  recoil  which  had 
unconsciously  betrayed  itself. 

"  Hear  what  he  did  for  me,  and  then  it  may 
be  easier  to  show  as  well  as  to  feel  gratitude ; 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         2/ 

since  but  for  him  you  would  have  had  nbne  of 
these  foolish  rhymes  to  sing." 

With  a  look  askance,  a  quick  gesture,  and  a 
curious  laugh,  Canaris  tossed  the  book  into  the 
urn  below,  and  the  heliotrope  gave  a  fragrant 
sigh  as  it  closed  above  the  treasure  given  to  its 
keeping.  Gladys  uttered  a  little  cry,  but  her 
companion  took  no  heed,  for  clasping  his  hands 
about  his  knee  he  looked  off  into  the  bloomy 
wilderness  below  as  if  he  saw  a  younger  self  there, 
and  spoke  of  him  with  a  pitiful  sort  of  interest. 

"  Three  years  ago  an  ambitious  boy  came  to 
seek  his  fortune  in  the  great  city  yonder.  He 
possessed  nothing  but  sundry  accomplishments, 
and  a  handful  of  verses  which  he  tried  to  sell. 
Failing  in  this  hope  after  various  trials,  he  grew 
desperate,  and*  thought  to  end  his  life  like  poor 
Chatterton.  No,  not  like  Chatterton,  —  for  this 
boy  was  not  an  impostor." 

"  Had  he  no  friend  anywhere  ? "  asked 
Gladys,  —  her  work  neglected  while  she  listened 
with  intensest  interest  to  the  tale  so  tragically 
begun. 

"  He  thought  not,  but  chance  sent  him  one 
at  the  last  hour,  and  when  he  called  on  death, 
Helwyze  came.  It  always  seemed  to  me  as  if, 
unwittingly,  I  conjured  from  the  fire  kindled  to 


28         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

destroy  myself  a  genie  who  had  power  to  change 
me  from  the  miserable  wretch  I  was,  into  the 
happy  man  I  am.  For  more  than  a  year  I  have 
been  with  him,  —  first  as  secretary,  then  pro- 
tfgJ,  now  friend, .  almost  son  ;  for  he  asks  noth 
ing  of  me  except  such  services  as  I  love  to 
render,  and  gives  me  every  aid  towards  winning 
my  way.  Is  not  that  magnificent  generosity  ? 
Can  I  help  regarding  him  with  superstitious 
gratitude  ?  Am  I  not  rightly  named  Felix  ? " 

"  Yes,  oh  yes !  Tell  me  more,  please.  I 
have  led  such  a  lonely  life,  that  human  beings 
are  like  wonder-books  to  me,  and  I  am  never 
tired  of  reading  them."  Gladys  looked  with  a 
rapt  expression  into  the  face  upturned  to  hers, 
little  dreaming  how  dangerous  such  lore  might 
be  to  her. 

"  Then  you  should  read  Helwyze  ;  he  is  a 
romance  that  will  both  charm  and  make  your 
heart  ache,  if  you  dare  to  try  him." 

"  I  dare,  if  I  may,  because  I  would  so  gladly 
lose  my  fear  of  him  in  the  gentler  feeling  that 
grows  in  me  as  I  listen." 

Canaris  was  irresistibly  led  on  to  confidences 
he  had  no  right  to  make,  it  was  so  pleasant  to 
feel  that  he  had  the  power  to  move  the  girl  by 
his  words,  as  the  wind  sways  a  leaf  upon  its  deli- 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         2Q 

cate  stem.  A  half-fledged  purpose  lurked  in  a 
dark  corner  of  his  mind,  and  even  while  deny 
ing  its.  existence  to  himself,  he  yielded  to  its 
influence,  careless  of  consequences. 

"  Then  I  will  go  on  and  let  compassion  finish 
what  I  have  begun.  Till  thirty,  Helwyze  led  a 
wonderfully  free,  rich  life,  I  infer  from  hints 
dropped  in  unguarded  moments,  —  for  confiden 
tial  moods  are  rare.  Every  good  gift  was  his, 
and  nothing  to  alloy  his  happiness,  unless  it  was 
the  restless  nature  which  kept  him  wandering 
like  an  Arab  long  after  most  men  have  found 
some  ambition  to  absorb,  or  some  tie  to  restrain, 
them.  From  what  I  ha've  gathered,  I  know  that 
a  great  passion  was  beginning  to  tame  his  un 
quiet  spirit,  when  a  great  misfortune  came  to 
afflict  it,  and  in  an  hour  changed  a  life  of  entire 
freedom  to  one  of  the  bitterest  bondage  such  a 
man  can  know." 

"  Oh,  what  ? "  cried  Gladys,  as  he  artfully 
paused  just  there  to  see  her  bend  nearer,  and  her 
lips  part  with  the  tremor  of  suspense. 

"  A  terrible  fall  ;  and  for  ten  years  he  has 
never  known  a  day's  rest  from  pain  of  some 
sort,  and  never  will,  till  death  releases  him  ten 
years  hence,  perhaps,  if  his  indomitable  will 
keeps  him  alive  so  long." 


30         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Alas,  alas  !  is  there  no  cure  ? "  sighed 
Gladys,  as  the  violet  eyes  grew  dim  for  very  pity 
of  so  hard  a  fate. 

"  None." 

A  brief  silence  followed  while  the  shadow  of 
a  great  white  cloud  drifted  across  the  sky,  blot 
ting  out  the  sunshine  for  a  moment. 

All  the  flowers  strayed  down  upon  the  steps 
and  lay  there  forgotten,  as  the  hands  that  held 
them  were  clasped  together  on  the  girl's  breast, 
as  if  the  mere  knowledge  of  a  lot  like  this  lay 
heavy  at  her  heart. 

Satisfied  with  his  effect,  the  story-teller  was 
tempted  to  add  another  stroke,  and  went  on 
with  the  fluency  of  one  who  saw  all  things  dra 
matically,  and  could  not  help  coloring  them  in 
his  own  vivid  fancy. 

"  That  seems  very  terrible  to  you,  but  in  truth 
the  physical  affliction  was  not  so  great  as  the 
loss  that  tried  his  soul ;  for  he  loved  ardently, 
and  had  just  won  his  suit,  when  the  misfortune 
came  which  tied  him  to  a  bed  of  torment  for 
some  years.  A  fall  from  heaven  to  hell  could 
hardly  have  seemed  worse  than  to  be  precipi 
tated  from  the  heights  of  such  a  happiness  to 
the  depths  of  such  a  double  woe  ;  for  she,  the 
beautiful,  beloved  woman  proved  disloyal,  and 


-. 
A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         31 

left  him  lying  there,  like  Prometheus,  with  the 
vulture  of  remembered  bliss  to  rend  his  heart." 

"  Could  he  not  forget  her  ? "  and  Gladys  trem 
bled  with  indignation  at  the  perfidy  which  seemed 
impossible  to  a  nature  born  for  self-sacrifice. 

"  He  never  will  forget  or  forgive,  although  the 
man  she  married  well  avenged  him  while  he  lived, 
and  bequeathed  her  a  memory  which  all  his  gold 
could  not  gild.  Her  fate  is  the  harder  now ;  for 
the  old  love  has  revived,  and  Helwyze  is  dearer 
than  in  his  days  of  unmarred  strength.  He 
knows  it,  but  will  not  accept  the  tardy  atone 
ment  ;  for  contempt  has  killed  his  love,  and  with 
him  there  is  no  resurrection  of  the  dead.  A 
very  patient  and  remorseful  love  is  hers  :  for  she 
has  been  humiliated  in  spirit,  as  he  can  never  be, 
by  the  bodily  ills  above  which  he  has  risen  so 
heroically  that  his  courage  has  subdued  the 
haughtiest  woman  I  ever  met." 

"  You  know  her,  then  ?  "  and  Gladys  bent  to 
look  into  his  face,  with  her  own  shadowed  by  an 
intuition  of  the  truth. 

"Yes." 

"  I  am  afraid  to  listen  any  more.  It  is  terrible 
to  know  that  such  bitterness  and  grief  lie  hid 
den  in  the  hearts  about  me.  Why  did  you 
tell  me  this  ? "  she  demanded,  shrinking  from 


32         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

him,  as  if  some  prophetic  fear  had  stepped  be 
tween  them. 

"  Why  did  I  ?  Because  I  wished  to  make  you 
pity  my  friend,  and  help  me  put  a  little  bright 
ness  into  his  hard  life.  You  can  do  it  if  you  will, 
for  you  soothe  and  please  him,  and  few  possess 
the  power  to  give  him  any  comfort.  He  makes 
no  complaint,  asks  no  pity,  and  insists  on  ignor 
ing  the  pain  which  preys  upon  him,  till  it  grows 
too  great  to  be  concealed  ;  then  shuts  himself  up 
alone,  to  endure  it  like  a  Spartan.  Forgive  me 
if  in  my  eagerness  I  have  said  too  much,  and  for 
get  whatever  troubled  you." 

Canaris  spoke  with  genuine  regret,  and  hoped 
to  banish  the  cloud  from  a  face  which  had  been 
as  placid  as  the  lake  below,  till  he  disturbed  it 
by  reflections  that  affrighted  her. 

"  It  is  easy  to  forgive,  but  not  to  forget,  words 
which  cannot  be  unsaid.  I  was  so  happy  here  ; 
and  now  it  is  all  spoilt.  She  was  a  new-made 
friend,  and  very  kind  to  me  when  I  was  desolate. 
I  shall  seem  a  thankless  beggar  if  I  go  away  be 
fore  I  have  paid  my  debt  as  best  I  can.  How 
shall  I  tell  her  that  I  must  ?  " 

"  Of  whom  do  you  speak  ?  I  gave  no  name. 
I  thought  you  would  not  guess.  Why  must  you 
go,  Gladys  ? "  asked  the  young  man,  surprised  to 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         33 

see  how  quickly  she  felt  the  chill  of  doubt,  and 
tried  to  escape  obligation,  when  neither  love  nor 
respect  brightened  it. 

"  I  need  give  no  name,  because  you  know.  It  is 
as  well,  perhaps,  that  I  have  guessed  it.  I  ought 
not  to  have  been  so  content,  since  I  am  here 
through  charity.  I  must  take  up  my  life  and 
try  to  shape  it  for  myself ;  but  the  world  seems 
very  large  now  I  am  all  alone." 

She  spoke  half  to  herself,  and  looked  beyond 
the  safe,  secluded  garden,  to  the  gray  mountains 
whose  rough  paths  her  feet  had  trod  before  they 
were  led  here  to  rest. 

Quick  to  be  swayed  by  the  varying  impulses 
which  ruled  him  with  capricious  force,  Canaris 
was  now  full  of  pity  for  the  trouble  he  had 
wrought,  and  when  she  rose,  like  a  bird  startled 
from  its  nest,  he  rose  also,  and,  taking  the  hand 
put  out  as  if  involuntarily  asking  help,  he  said 
with  regretful  gentleness,  — 

"  Do  not  be  afraid,  we  will  befriend  you.  Hel- 
wyze  shall  counsel  and  I  will  comfort,  if  we  can. 
I  should  not  have  told  that  dismal  story ;  I  will 
atone  for  it  by  a  new  song,  and  you  shall  grow 
happy  in  singing  it." 

She  hesitated,  withdrew  her  hand,  and  looked 
askance  at  him,  as  if  one  doubt  bred  others. 
2*  c 


34         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

An  approaching  footstep  made  her  start,  and 
stand  a  moment  with  head  erect,  eye  fixed,  and 
ear  intent,  like  a  listening  deer,  then  whispering, 
"  It  is  she ;  hide  me  till  I  learn  to  look  as  if  I 
did  not  know !  " —  Gladys  sprung  down  the  steps, 
and  vanished  like  a  wraith,  leaving  no  token  of 
her  presence  but  the  lilies  in  the  dust,  for  the 
young  man  followed  fleetly. 


A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.  35 


III. 


A  WOMAN  came  into  the  balcony  with  a 
swift  step,  and  paused  there,  as  if  disap 
pointed  to  find  it  deserted.  A  woman  in  the 
midsummer  of  her  life,  brilliant,  strong,  and 
stately ;  clad  in  something  dusky  and  diapha 
nous,  unrelieved  by  any  color,  except  the  pale 
gold  of  the  laburnum  clusters,  that  drooped  from 
deep  bosom  and  darkest  hair.  Pride  sat  on  the 
forehead,  with  its  straight  black  brows,  passion 
slept  in  the  Southern  eyes,  lustrous  or  languid 
by  turns,  and  will  curved  the  closely  folded  lips 
of  vivid  red. 

But  over  all  this  beauty,  energy,  and  grace  an 
indescribable  blight  seemed  to  have  fallen,  deeper 
than  the  loss  of  youth's  first  freshness,  darker 
than  the  trace  of  any  common  sorrow.  Some 
thing  felt,  rather  than  seen,  which  gave  her  the 
air  of  a  dethroned  queen  ;  conquered,  but  pro 
testing  fiercely,  even  while  forced  to  submit  to 
some  inexorable  decree,  whose  bitterest  pang 
was  the  knowledge  that  the  wrong  was  self- 
inflicted. 


36        A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

As  she  stood  there,  looking  down  the  green 
vista,  two  figures  crossed  it.  A  smile  curved 
the  sad  mouth,  and  she  said  aloud,  "  Faust  and 
Margaret,  playing  the  old,  old  game." 

"And  Mephistopheles  and  Martha  looking 
on,"  added  a  melodious  voice,  behind  her,  as 
Helwyze  swept  back  the  half-transparent  cur 
tain  from  the  long  window  where  he  sat. 

"The  part  you  give  me  is  not  a  flattering 
one,"  she  answered,  veiling  mingled  pique  and 
pleasure  with  well-feigned  indifference. 

"  Nor  mine  ;  yet  I  think  they  suit  us  both,  in 
a  measure.  Do  you  know,  Olivia,  that  the  acci 
dental  reading  of  my  favorite  tragedy,  at  a  cer 
tain  moment,  gave  me  a  hint  which  has  afforded 
amusement  for  a  year." 

"  You  mean  your  fancy  for  playing  Mentor  to 
that  boy.  A  dangerous  task  for  you,  Jasper." 

"The  danger  is  the  charm.  I  crave  excite 
ment,  occupation ;  and  what  but  something  of 
this  sort  is  left  me  ?  Much  saving  grace  in 
charity,  we  are  told  ;  and  who  needs  it  more  than 
I  ?  Surely  I  have  been  kinder  to  Felix  than  the 
Providence  which  left  him  to  die  of  destitution 
and  despair  ? " 

".Perhaps  not.  The  love  of  power  is  strong 
in  men  like  you,  and  grows  by  what  it  feeds  on. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         37 

If  I  am  not  mistaken,  this  whim  of  a  moment 
has  already  hardened  into  a  purpose  which  will 
mould  his  life  in  spite  of  him.  It  is  an  occu 
pation  that  suits  your  taste,  for  you  enjoy  his 
beauty  and  his  promise ;  you  like  to  praise  and 
pamper  him  till  vanity  and  love  of  pleasure  wax 
strong,  then  you  check  him  with  an  equal  satis 
faction,  and  find  excitement  in  curbing  his  high 
spirit,  his  wayward  will.  By  what  tie  you  hold 
him  I  cannot  tell ;  but  I  know  it  must  be  some 
thing  stronger  than  gratitude,  for,  though  he 
chafes  against  the  bond,  he  dares  not  break 
it." 

"  Ah,  that  is  'my  secret !  What  would  you 
not  give  if  I  would  teach  you  the  art  of  taming 
men  as  I  once  taught  you  to  train  a  restive 
horse  ? "  —  and  Helwyze  looked  out  at  her  with 
eyes  full  of  malicious  merriment. 

"You  have  taught  me  the  art  of  taming  a 
woman ;  is  not  that  enough  ? "  murmured 
Olivia,  in  a  tone  that  would  have  touched  any 
man's  heart  with  pity,  if  with  no  tenderer  emo 
tion. 

But  Helwyze  seemed  not  to  hear  the  re 
proach,  and  went  on,  as  if  the  other  topic  suited 
his  mood  best. 

"  I  call  Canaris  my  Greek  slave,  sometimes, 


38         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

and  he  never  knows  whether  to  feel  flattered  or 
insulted.  His  father  was  a  Greek  adventurer, 
you  know  (ended  tragically,  I  suspect),  and  but 
for  the  English  mother's  legacy  of  a  trifle  of 
moral  sense,  Felix  would  be  as  satisfactory  a 
young  heathen  as  if  brought  straight  from  an 
cient  Athens.  It  was  this  peculiar  mixture  of 
unscrupulous  daring  and  fitful  virtue  which 
attracted  me,  as  much  as  his  unusual  beauty 
and  undoubted  talent.  Money  can  buy  almost 
any  thing,  you  know  ;  so  I  bought  my  hand 
some  Alcibiades,  and  an  excellent  bargain  I  find 
him." 

"  But  when  you  tire  of  him,  what  then  ?  You 
cannot  sell  him  again,  nor  throw  him  away,  like 
a  book  you  weary  of.  Neither  can  you  leave 
him  neglected  in  the  lumber-room,  with  distaste 
ful  statues  or  bad  pictures.  Affection,  if  you 
have  it,  will  not  outlast  your  admiration,  and  I 
have  much  curiosity  to  know  what  will  become 
of  your  '  handsome  Alcibiades '  then." 

"  Then,  my  cousin,  I  will  give  him  to  you,  for 
I  have  fancied  of  late  that  you  rather  coveted 
him.  You  could  not  manage  him  now,  —  the 
savage  in  him  is  not  quite  civilized  yet,  —  but 
wait  a  little,  and  I  will  make  a  charming  play 
thing  for  you.  I  know  you  will  treat  him  kindly, 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         39 

since  it  is  truly  said,  Those  who  have  served,  best 
know  how  to  rule." 

The  sneer  stung  her  deeply,  for  there  was  no 
humiliation  this  proud  woman  had  not  suffered 
at  the  hands  of  a  brutal  and  unfaithful  husband. 
Pity  was  as  bitter  a  draught  to  her  as  to  the 
man  who  thus  cruelly  reminded  her  of  the  long 
bondage  which  had  left  an  ineffaceable  blight 
upon  her  life.  The  wound  bled  inwardly,  but 
she  retaliated,  as  only  such  a  woman  could. 

"  Love  is  the  one  master  who  can  rule  and 
bind  without  danger  or  disgrace.  I  shall  re 
member  that,  and  when  you  give  me  Felix  he 
will  find  me  a  gentler  mistress  than  I  was  ten 
years  ago  —  to  you." 

The  last  words  dropped  from  her  lips  as  softly 
as  if  full  of  tender  reminiscence,  but  they  pricked 
pride,  since  they  could  not  touch  a  relentless 
heart.  Helwyze  betrayed  it  by  the  sombre  fire 
of  his  eye,  the  tone  in  which  he  answered. 

"  And  I  will  ask  of  you  the  only  gift  I  care 
to  accept,  —  your  new  protig/e,  Gladys.  Tell 
me  where  you  found  her  ;  the  child  interests 
me  much." 

"I  know  it ;"  and,  stifling  a  pang  of  jealous 
pain,  Olivia  obeyed  with  the  docility  of  one  in 
whom  will  was  conquered  by  a  stronger  power. 


40         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  A  freak  took  me  to  the  hills  in  March.  My 
winter  had  been  a  vain  chase  after  happiness, 
and  I  wanted  solitude.  I  found  it  where  chance 
led  me, — in  this  girl's  home.  A  poor,  bleak 
place  enough  ;  but  it  suited  me,  for  there  were 
only  the  father  and  daughter,  and  they  left  me 
to  myself.  The  man  died  suddenly,  and  no  one 
mourned,  for  he  was  a  selfish  tyrant.  The  girl 
was  left  quite  alone,  and  nearly  penniless,  but  so 
happy  in  her  freedom  that  she  had  no  fears.  I 
liked  the  courage  of  the  creature  ;  I  knew  how 
she  felt ;  I  saw  great  capacity  for  something  fine 
in  her.  I  said,  '  Come  with  me  for  a  little,  and 
time  will  show  you  the  next  step.'  She  came ; 
time  has  shown  her,  and  the  next  step  will  take 
her  from  my  house  to  yours,  unless  I  much  mis 
take  your  purpose." 

Leaning  in  the  low,  lounging  chair,  Helwyze 
had  listened  motionless,  except  that  the  fingers 
of  one  thin  hand  moved  fitfully,  as  if  he  played 
upon  some  instrument  inaudible  to  all  ears  but 
his  own.  A  frequent  gesture  of  his,  and  most 
significant,  to  any  one  who  knew  that  his  favor 
ite  pastime  was  touching  human  heart-strings 
with  marvellous  success  in  producing  discords 
by  his  uncanny  skill. 

As  Olivia  paused,  he  asked  in  a  voice  as  suave 
as  cold,  — 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         4! 

"  My  purpose  ?     Have  I  any  ? " 

"  You  say  she  interests  you,  and  you  watch 
her  in  a  way  that  proves  it.  Have  you  not 
already  resolved  to  win  her  for  your  amusement, 
by  some  bribe  as  cunning  as  that  you  gave 
Canaris  for  his  liberty  ? " 

"  I  have.     You  are  a  shrewd  woman,  Olivia." 

"  Yet  she  is  not  beautiful ; "  and  her  eye 
vainly  searched  the  inscrutable  countenance, 
that  showed  so  passionless  and  pale  against 
the  purple  cushion  where  it  leaned. 

"  Pardon  me,  the  loveliest  woman  I  have  seen 
for  years.  A  beautiful,  fresh  soul  is  most  at 
tractive  when  one  is  weary  of  more  material 
charms.  This  girl  seems  made  of  spirit,  fire, 
and  dew ;  a  mixture  rare  as  it  is  exquisite,  and 
the  spell  is  all  the  greater  because  of  its  fine  and 
elusive  quality.  I  promise  myself  much  satis 
faction  in  observing  how  this  young  creature 
meets  the  trials  and  temptations  life  and  love 
will  bring  her ;  and  to  do  this  she  must  be  near 
at  hand." 

"  Happy  Gladys  ! " 

Olivia  smiled  a  scornful  smile,  but  folded  her 
arms  to  curb  the  rebellious  swelling  of  her  heart 
at  the  thought  of  another  woman  nearer  than 
herself.  She  turned  away  as  she  spoke ;  but 


42         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

Helwyze  saw  the  quiver  of  her  lips,  and  read 
the  meaning  of  the  piercing  glance  she  shot  into 
the  garden,  as  if  to  find  and  annihilate  that  un 
conscious  rival. 

Content  for  the  moment  with  the  touch  of 
daily  torture  which  was  the  atonement  exacted 
for  past  disloyalty,  he  lifted  the  poor  soul  from 
despair  to  delight  by  the  utterance  of  three 
words,  accompanied  by  a  laugh  as  mirthless  as 
musical, — 

"  Happy  Felix,  rather." 

"  Is  he  to  marry  her  ? "  and  Olivia  fronted  him, 
glowing  with  a  sudden  joy  which  made  her 
lovely  as  well  as  brilliant. 

"  Who  else  ?  " 

"  Yourself." 

"  I ! "  and  the  word  was  full  of  a  bitterness 
which  thrilled  every  nerve  the  woman  had,  for 
an  irrepressible  regret  wrung  it  from  lips  sternly 
shut  on  all  complaint,  except  to  her. 

"  Why  not  ? "  she  cried,  daring  to  answer  with 
impetuous  warmth  and  candor.  "  What  woman 
would  not  be  glad  to  serve  you  for  the  sake  of 
the  luxury  with  which  you  would  surround  her, 
if  not  for  the  love  you  might  win  and  give,  if 
you  chose  ? " 

"  Bah  !  what  have  I  to  do  with  love  ?     Thank 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         43 

Heaven  my  passions  are  all  dead,  else  life  would 
be  a  hell,  not  the  purgatory  it  is,"  he  said,  glanc 
ing  at  his  wasted  limbs,  with  an  expression 
which  would  have  been  pathetic,  had  it  not  been 
defiant ;  for  that  long  discipline  of  pain  had  failed 
to  conquer  the  spirit  of  the  man,  and  it  seemed 
to  sit  aloof,  viewing  with  a  curious  mixture  of 
compassion  and  contempt  the  slow  ruin  of  the 
body  which  imprisoned  it. 

With  an  impulse  womanly  as  winning,  Olivia 
plucked  a  wine-dark  rose  from  the  trellis  nearest 
her,  and,  bending  towards  him,  laid  it  in  his  hand, 
with  a  look  and  gesture  of  one  glad  to  give  all 
she  possessed,  if  that  were  possible. 

"  Your  love  of  beauty  still  survives,  and  is  a 
solace  to  you.  Let  me  minister  to  it  when  I 
can ;  and  be  assured  I  offer  my  little  friend  as 
freely  as  I  do  my  choicest  rose." 

"  Thanks  ;  the  flower  for  me,  the  friend  for 
Felix.  Young  as  he  is,  he  knows  how  to  woo, 
and  she  will  listen  to  his  love-tale  as  willingly  as 
she  did  to  the  highly  colored  romance  he  was 
telling  her  just  now.  You  would  soon  find 
her  a  burden,  Olivia,  and  so  should  I,  unless 
she  came  in  this  way.  We  need  do  nothing 
but  leave  the  young  pair  to  summer  and  se 
clusion  ;  they  will  make  the  match  better  and 


44         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

more  quickly  than  we  could.  Then  a  month 
for  the  honeymoon  business,  and  all  can  be 
comfortably  settled  before  October  frosts  set 
in." 

"  You  often  say,  where  women  are  is  discord  ; 
yet  you  are  planning  to  bring  one  into  your 
house  in  the  most  dangerous  way.  Have  you 
no  fears,  Jasper  ? " 

"  Not  of  Gladys ;  she  is  so  young,  I  can  mould 
her  as  I  please,  and  that  suits  me.  She  will 
become  my  house  well,  this  tender,  transparent 
little  creature,  with  her  tranquil  eyes,  and  the  sin 
cere  voice  which  makes  truth  sweeter  than  false 
hood.  You  must  come  and  see  her  there ;  but 
never  try  to  alter  her,  or  the  charm  will  be  de 
stroyed." 

"  You  may  be  satisfied :  but  how  will  it  be 
with  Felix?  Hitherto  your  sway  has  been  un 
divided,  now  you  must  share  it ;  for  with  all  her 
gentleness  she  is  strong,  and  will  rule  him." 

"  And  I,  Gladys.  Felix  suits  me  excellently, 
and  it  will  only  add  another  charm  to  the  rela 
tion  if  I  control  him  through  the  medium  of 
another.  My  young  lion  is  discovering  his 
power  rapidly,  and  I  must  give  him  a  Una  be 
fore  he  breaks  loose  and  chooses  for  himself. 
If  matters  must  be  complicated,  I  choose  to  do 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         4$ 

it,  and  it  will  occupy  my  winter  pleasantly  to 
watch  the  success  of  this  new  combination." 

While  he  talked,  Helwyze  had  been  absently 
stripping  leaf  after  leaf  from  the  great  rose,  till 
nothing  but  the  golden  heart  remained  trem 
bling  on  the  thorny  stem. 

Olivia  had  watched  the  velvet  petals  fall  one 
by  one,  feeling  a  sad  sympathy  with  the  ill-used 
gift ;  yet,  as  the  last  leaf  fluttered  to  the  ground, 
she  involuntarily  lifted  up  her  hand  to  break 
another,  glad  if  even  in  the  destruction  of  so 
frail  a  thing  he  could  find  a  moment's  pleasure. 

"  No,  let  them  hang ;  their  rich  color  pleases 
best  among  the  green ;  their  cloying  perfume  is 
too  heavy  for  the  house.  A  snowdrop,  leaning 
from  its  dainty  sheath  undaunted  by  March 
winds,  is  more  to  my  taste  now,"  he  said,  drop 
ping  the  relics  of  the  rose,  with  the  slow  smile 
which  often  lent  such  significance  to  a  careless 
word. 

"  I  cannot  give  you  that :  spring  flowers  are  all 
gone  long  ago,"  began  Olivia,  regretfully. 

"  Nay,  you  give  me  one  in  Gladys  ;  no  spring 
flower  could  be  more  delicate  than  she,  gathered 
by  your  own  hand  from  the  bleak  nook  where 
you  found  her.  It  is  the  faint,  vernal  fragrance 
of  natures,  coyly  hidden  from  common  eye  and 


46         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

touch,  which  satisfies  and  soothes  senses  refined 
by  suffering." 

"  Yet  you  will  destroy  it,  like  the  rose,  in  find 
ing  out  the  secret  of  its  life.  I  wondered  why 
this  pale,  cold  innocence  was  so  attractive  to  a 
man  like  you.  There  was  a  time  when  you 
would  have  laughed  at  such  a  fancy,  and  craved 
something  with  more  warmth  and  brilliancy." 

"  I  am  wiser  now,  and  live  here,  not  here,"  he 
answered,  touching  first  his  forehead  then  his 
breast,  with  melancholy  meaning.  "  While  my 
brain  is  spared  me  I  can  survive  the  ossification 
of  all  the  heart  I  ever  had,  since,  at  best,  it  is 
an  unruly  member.  Almost  as  inconvenient  as 
a  conscience ;  that,  thank  fortune,  I  never  had. 
Yes ;  to  study  the  mysterious  mechanism  of 
human  nature  is  a  most  absorbing  pastime,  when 
books  weary,  and  other  sources  of  enjoyment 
are  forbidden.  Try  it,  and  see  what  an  exciting 
game  it  becomes,  when  men  and  women  are  the 
pawns  you  learn  to  move  at  will.  Goethe's  boy 
ish  puppet-show  was  but  a  symbol  of  the  skill 
and  power  which  made  the  man  the  magician  he 
became." 

"An  impious  pastime,  a  dearly  purchased 
fame,  built  on  the  broken  hearts  of  women ! "  ex 
claimed  Olivia,  walking  to  and  fro  with  the 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         47 

noiseless  step  and  restless  grace  of  a  leopardess 
pacing  its  cage. 

Helwyze  neither  seemed  to  see  nor  hear  her, 
for  his  gloomy  eyes  stared  at  a  little  bird  tilting 
on  a  spray  that  swung  in  the  freshening  wind, 
and  his  thoughts  followed  their  own  path. 

" '  Pale,  cold  innocence.'  It  is  curious  that  it 
should  charm  me.  A  good  sign,  perhaps  ;  for 
poets  tell  us  that  fallen  angels  sigh  for  the  heaven 
they  have  lost,  and  try  to  rise  again  on  the  wings 
of  spirits  stronger  and  purer  than  themselves. 
Would  they  not  find  virtue  insipid  after  a  fiery 
draught  of  sin  ?  Did  not  Paradise  seem  a  little 
dull  to  Dante,  in  spite  of  Beatrice  ?  I  wish  I 
knew." 

"  Is  it  for  this  that  you  want  the  girl's  help  ?  " 
asked  Olivia,  pausing  in  her  march  to  look  at 
him.  "  I  shall  wait  with  interest  to  see  if  she 
lifts  you  up  to  sainthood,  or  you  drag  herdown 
to  your  level,  where  intellect  is  God,  conscience 
ignored,  and  love  despised.  Unhappy  Gladys  !  I 
should  have  said,  because  I  cannot  keep  her  from 
you,  if  I  would ;  and  in  your  hands  she  will  be  as 
helpless  as  the  dumb  creatures  surgeons  torture, 
that  they  may  watch  a  living  nerve,  count  the 
throbbing  of  an  artery,  or  see  how  long  the  poor 
things  will  live  bereft  of  some  vital  part.  Let 


48         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

the  child  alone,  Jasper,  or  you  will   repent   of 

it." 

"  Upon  my  word,  Olivia,  you  are  in  an  omi 
nously  prophetic  mood.  I  hear  a  carriage ;  and, 
as  I  am  invisible  to  all  eyes  but  your  gifted 
ones,  pardon  me  if  I  unceremoniously  leave  the 
priestess  on  her  tripod." 

And  the  curtain  dropped  between  them  as 
suddenly  as  it  had  been  lifted,  depriving  the 
woman  of  the  one  troubled  joy  of  her  life,  — com 
panionship  with  him. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         49 


IV. 


,  are  you  asleep  ? " 
"  No,  sir,  only  resting." 

"  Have  you  been  at  work  ? " 

"  Decidedly ;  I  rowed  across  the  lake  and 
back." 

"  Alone  ? " 

"  Gladys  went  with  me,  singing  like  a  mer 
maid  all  the  way." 

"Ah!" 

Both  men  were  lounging  in  the  twilight ;  but 
there  was  a  striking  difference  in  their  way  of 
doing  it.  Canaris  lay  motionless  on  a  couch,  his 
head  pillowed  on  his  arms,  enjoying  the  luxury 
of  repose,  with  the  dolce  far  niente  only  possible 
to  those  in  whose  veins  runs  Southern  blood. 
Helwyze  leaned  in  a  great  chair,  which  looked  a 
miracle  of  comfort ;  but  its  occupant  stirred  rest 
lessly,  as  if  he  found  no  ease  among  its  swelling 
cushions  ;  and  there  was  an  alert  expression  in 
his  face,  betraying  that  the  brain  was  at  work  on 
some  thought  or  purpose  which  both  absorbed 
and  excited. 

3  » 


$0         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

A  pause  followed  the  brief  dialogue,  during 
which  Canaris  seemed  to  relapse  into  his  de 
licious  drowse,  while  Helwyze  sat  looking  at  him 
with  .the  critical  regard  one  bestows  on  a  fine 
work  of  art.  Yet  something  in  the  spectacle 
of  rest  he  could  not  share  seemed  to  annoy  him  ; 
for,  suddenly  turning  up  the  shaded  lamp  upon 
his  table,  he  dispelled  the  soft  gloom,  and  broke 
the  silence. 

"  I  have  a  request  to  make.  May  I  trouble 
you  to  listen  ? " 

There  was  a  tone  of  command  in  the  court 
eously  worded  speech,  which  made  Canaris  sit 
erect,  with  a  respectful  — 

"  At  your  service,  sir." 

"  I  wish  you  to  marry,"  continued  Helwyze, 
with  such  startling  abruptness  that  the  young 
man  gazed  at  him  in  mute  amazement  for  a 
moment.  Then,  veiling  his  surprise  by  a  laugh, 
he  asked  lightly, — 

"  Isn't  it  rather  soon  for  that,  sir  ?  I  am  hardly 
of  age." 

"  Geniuses  are  privileged ;  and  I  am  not  aware 
of  any  obstacle,  if  /  am  satisfied,"  answered  Hel 
wyze,  with  an  imperious  gesture,  which  seemed 
to  put  aside  all  objections. 

"  Do  you  seriously  mean  it,  sir  ? " 


A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.          5 1 

"  I  do." 

"  But  why  such  haste  ? " 

"  Because  it  is  my  pleasure." 

"  I  will  not  give  up  my  liberty  so  soon,"  cried 
the  young  man,  with  a  mutinous  flash  of  the 
eye. 

"  I  thought  you  had  already  given  it  up.  If 
you  choose  to  annul  the  agreement,  do  it,  and 
go.  You  know  the  forfeit." 

"  I  forgot  this  possibility.  Did  I  agree  to  obey 
in  all  things  ?  " 

"  It  was  so  set  down  in  the  bond.  Entire 
obedience  in  return  for  the  success  you  coveted. 
Have  I  failed  in  my  part  of  the  bargain  ? " 

"  No,  sir  ;  no." 

"  Then  do  yours,  or  let  us  cancel  the  bond,  and 
part." 

"  How  can  we  ?  What  can  I  do  without  you  ? 
Is  there  no  way  but  this  ? " 

"None." 

Canaris  looked  dismayed,  —  and  well  he  might, 
for  it  seemed  impossible  to  put  away  the  cup  he 
had  thirsted  for,  when  its  first  intoxicating 
draught  was  at  his  lips. 

Helwyze  had  spoken  with  peculiar  emphasis, 
and  his  words  were  full  of  ominous  suggestion  to 
the  listener's  ear;  for  he  alone  knew  how  much 


52         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

rebellion  would  cost  him,  since  luxury  and  fame 
were  still  dearer  than  liberty  or  honor.  He  sprung 
up,  and  paced  the  room,  feeling  like  some  wild 
creature  caught  in  a  snare. 

Helwyze,  regardless  of  his  chafing,  went  on 
calmly,  as  if  to  a  willing  hearer,  eying  him  vigi 
lantly  the  while,  though  now  his  own  manner 
was  as  persuasive  as  it  had  been  imperative  be 
fore. 

"  I  ask  no  more  than  many  parents  do,  and 
will  give  you  my  reasons  for  the  demand,  though 
that  was  not  among  the  stipulations." 

"A  starving  man  does  not  stop  to  weigh 
words,  or  haggle  about  promises.  I  was  des 
perate,  and  you  offered  me  salvation ;  can  you 
wonder  that  I  clutched  the  only  hand  held  out 
to  me  ? "  demanded  Canaris,  with  a  world  of 
conflicting  emotions  in  his  expressive  face,  as 
he  paused  before  his  master. 

"  I  am  not  speaking  of  the  first  agreement, 
that  was  brief  as  simple.  The  second  bargain 
was  a  more  complicated  matter.  You  were 
not  desperate  then  ;  you  freely  entered  into  it, 
reaped  the  benefits  of  it,  and  now  wish  to 
escape  the  consequences  of  your  own  act.  Is 
that  fair?" 

"  How  could  I   dream  that  you  would  exact 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         53 

such  obedience  as  this  ?  I  am  too  young  ;  it  is 
a  step  that  may  change  my  whole  life ;  I  must 
have  time,"  murmured  Canaris,  while  a  sud 
den  change  passed  over  his  whole  face,  his  eye 
fell  before  the  glance  bent  on  him,  as  the  other 
spoke. 

"  It  need  not  change  your  life,  except  to  make 
it  freer,  perhaps  happier.  Hitherto  you  have  had 
all  the  pleasure,  now  I  desire  my  share.  You 
often  speak  of  gratitude  ;  prove  it  by  granting 
my  request,  and,  in  adding  a  new  solace  to  my 
existence,  you  will  find  you  have  likewise  added 
a  new  charm  to  your  own." 

"  It  is  so  sudden,  —  I  do  desire  to  show  my 
gratitude,  —  I  have  tried  to  do  my  part  faith 
fully  so  far,"  began  Canaris,  as  if  a  look,  a  word, 
had  tamed  his  high  spirit,  and  enforced  docility 
sorely  against  his  will. 

"  So  far,  I  grant  that,  and  I  thank  you  for  the 
service  which  I  desire  to  lessen  by  the  step 
you  decline  to  take.  I  have  spoilt  you  for  use, 
but  not  for  ornament.  I  still  like  to  see  you 
flourish ;  I  enjoy  your  success  ;  I  cannot  free 
you ;  but  I  can  give  you  a  mate,  who  will  take 
your  place  and  amuse  me  at  home,  while  you  ' 
sing  and  soar  abroad.  Is  that  sufficiently  poeti 
cal  for  a  poet's  comprehension  ?  "  and  Helwyze 


54         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

smiled,  that  satiric  smile  of   his,  still  watching 
the  young  man's  agitated  countenance. 

"  But  why  need  /  marry  ?  Why  cannot "  — 
there  Canaris  hesitated,  for  he  lacked  the  courage 
to  make  the  very  natural  suggestion  Olivia  had 
done. 

Helwyze  divined  the  question  on  his  lips,  and 
answered  it  with  stern  brevity. 

"  That  is  impossible  ; "  then  added,  with  the 
sudden  softening  of  tone  which  made  his  voice 
irresistibly  seductive,  "  I  have  given  one  reason 
for  my  whim :  there  are  others,  which  affect  you 
more  nearly  and  pleasantly,  perhaps.  Little 
more  than  a  year  ago,  your  first  book  came  out, 
making  you  famous  for  a  time.  You  have  en 
joyed  your  laurels  for  a  twelvemonth,  and  begin 
to  sigh  for  more.  The  world  has  petted  you,  as 
it  does  any  novelty,  and  expects  to  be  paid  for 
its  petting,  else  it  will  soon  forget  you." 

"No  fear  of  that!"  exclaimed  the  other,  with 
the  artless  arrogance  of  youth. 

"  If  I  thought  you  would  survive  the  experi 
ment,  I  would  leave  you  to  discover  what  a 
fickle  mistress  you  serve.  But  frost  would  soon 
blight  your  budding  talent,  so  we  will  keep  on 
the  world's  sunny  side,  and  tempt  the  Muse,  not 
terrify  her." 


i  minium  ii  ii  inn  urn 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         55 

Nothing  could  be  smoother  than  the  voice  in 
which  these  words  were  said  ;  but  a  keen  ear 
would  have  detected  an  accent  of  delicate  irony 
in  it,  and  a  quick  eye  have  seen  that  Canaris 
winced,  as  if  a  sore  spot  had  been  touched. 

"  I  should  think  marriage  would  do  that  last, 
most  effectually,"  he  answered,  with  a  scornful 
shrug,  and  an  air  of  great  distaste. 

"  Not  always  :  some  geniuses  are  the  better  for 
such  bondage.  I  fancy  you  are  one  of  them, 
and  wish  to  try  the  experiment.  If  it  fails,  you 
can  play  Byron,  to  your  heart's  content." 

"  A  costly  experiment  for  some  one."  Canaris 
paused  in  his  impatient  march,  to  look  down 
with  a  glance  of  pity  at  the  dead  lily  still  knot 
ted  in  his  button-hole. 

Helwyze  laughed  at  the  touch  of  sentiment, — 
a  low,  quiet  laugh  ;  but  it  made  the  young  man 
flush,  and  hastily  fling  away  the  faded  flower, 
whose  pure  loveliness  had  been  a  joy  to  him  an 
hour  ago.  With  a  half  docile,  half  defiant  look, 
he  asked  coldly,  — 

"  What  next,  sir." 

"  Only  this  :  you  have  done  well.  Now,  you 
must  do  better,  and  let  the  second  book  be  free 
from  the  chief  fault  which  critics  found,  —  that, 
though  the  poet  wrote  of  love,  it  was  evident  he 
had  never  felt  it." 


56        A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Who  shall  say  that  ? "  with  sudden  warmth. 

"  I,  for  one.  You  know  nothing  of  love,  though 
you  may  natter  yourself  you  do.  So  far,  it  has 
been  pretty  play  enough,  but  I  will  not  have  you 
waste  yourself,  or  your  time.  You  need  inspir 
ation,  this  will  give  it  you.  At  your  age,  it  is 
easy  to  love  the  first  sweet  woman  brought  near 
you,  and  almost  impossible  for  any  such  to  resist 
your  wooing.  An  early  marriage  will  not  only 
give  heart  and  brain  a  fillip,  but  add  the  new  touch 
of  romance  needed  to  keep  up  the  world's  inter 
est  in  the  rising  star,  whose  mysterious  advent 
piques  curiosity  as  strongly  as  his  work  excites 
wonder  and  delight." 

Composure  and  content  had  been  gradually 
creeping  back  into  the  listener's  mien,  as  a 
skilful  hand  touched  the  various  chords  that 
vibrated  most  tunefully  in  a  young,  imagina 
tive,  ardent  nature.  Vivid  fancy  painted  the 
"  sweet  woman "  in  a  breath,  quick  wit  saw  at 
once  the  worldly  wisdom  of  the  advice,  and  am 
bition  found  no  obstacle  impassable. 

"  You  are  right,  sir,  I  submit ;  but  I  claim  the 
privilege  of  choosing  my  inspirer,"  he  said, 
warily. 

"  You  have  already  chosen,  if  I  am  not  much 
mistaken.  A  short  wooing,  but  a  sure  one  ;  for 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         $7 

little  Gladys  has  no  coquetry,  and  will  not  keep 
you  waiting  for  her  answer." 

"  Gladys  is  a  child,"  began  Canaris,  still  hesi 
tating  to  avow  the  truth. 

"  The  fitter  mate  for  you." 

"  But,  sir,  you  are  mistaken :  I  do  not  love 
her." 

"  Then,  why  teach  her  to  love  you  ? " 

"  I  have  not :  I  was  only  kind.  Surely  I 
cannot  be  expected  to  marry  every  young  girl 
who  blushes  when  I  look  at  her,"  he  said,  with 
sullen  petulance,  for  women  had  spoilt  the  hand 
some  youth,  and  he  was  as  ungrateful  as  such 
idols  usually  are. 

"  Then,  who  ?  —  ah  !  I  perceive  ;  I  had  forgot 
ten  that  a  boy's  first  tendresse  is  too  often  for  a 
woman  twice  his  age.  May  I  trouble  you  ? " 
and  Helwyze  held  up  the  empty  glass  with 
which  he  had  been  toying  while  he  talked. 

Among  the  strew  of  books  upon  the  table  at 
his  elbow  stood  an  antique  silver  flagon,  coolly 
frosted  over  by  the  iced  wine  it  held.  This 
Canaris  obediently  lifted  ;  and,  as  he  stooped 
to  fill  the  rosy  bowl  of  the  Venetian  goblet, 
Helwyze  leaned  forward,  till  the  two  faces  were 
so  close  that  eye  looked  into  eye,  as  he  said, 
in  one  swift  sentence,  "  It  was  to  win  Olivia  for 
3* 


58         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

yourself,  then,  that  you  wooed-  Gladys  for  me, 
three  hours  ago  ? " 

The  flagon  was  not  heavy,  but  it  shook  in  the 
young  man's  grasp,  and  the  wine  overflowed  the 
delicate  glass,  dyeing  red  the  hand  that  held  it. 
One  face  glowed  with  shame  and  anger ;  the  other 
remained  unmoved,  except  a  baffling  smile  upon 
the  lips,  that  added,  in  mild  reproach,  — 

"  My  Ganymede  has  lost  his  skill ;  it  is  time  I 
filled  his  place  with  a  neat-handed  Hebe.  Make 
haste,  and  bring  her  to  me  soon." 

Mutely  Canaris  removed  all  traces  of  the 
treacherous  mishap,  inwardly  cursing  his  impru 
dent  confidences,  wondering  what  malignant 
chance  brought  within  ear-shot  one  who  rarely 
left  his  own  apartments  at  the  other  end  of  the 
villa;  and  conscious  of  an  almost  superstitious 
fear  of  this  man,  who  read  so  surely,  and  dragged 
to  light  so  ruthlessly,  hidden  hopes  and  half- 
formed  designs. 

Vouchsafing  no  enlightenment,  Helwyze 
sipped  the  cool  draught  with  an  air  of  satis 
faction,  continuing  the  conversation  in  a  tone  of 
exasperating  calmness. 

"Among  other  amusing  fables  with  which 
you  beguiled  poor  Gladys,  I  think  you  promised 
counsel  and  comfort.  *  Keep  your  word,  and 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         59 

marry  her.  It  is  the  least  you  can  do,  after 
destroying  her  faith  in  the  one  friend  she  pos 
sessed.  A  pleasant,  but  a  dangerous  pastime, 
and  not  in  the  best  taste ;  let  me  advise  you  to 
beware  of  it  in  future." 

There  was  a  covert  menace  in  the  tone,  a 
warning  in  the  significant  grip  of  the  pale 
fingers  round  the  glass,  as  if  about  to  snap  its 
slender  stem.  Canaris  was  white  now  with 
impotent  wrath,  and  a  thrill  went  through  his 
vigorous  young  frame,  as  if  the  wild  creature 
was  about  to  break  loose,  and  defy  its  captor. 

But  the  powerful  eye  was  on  him,  with  a 
spark  of  fire  in  its  depths,  and  controlled  till 
words,  both  sweet  and  bitter,  soothed  and  won 
him. 

"  I  know  that  any  breath  of  tenderness  would 
pass  by  Olivia  as  idly  as  the  wind.  You  doubt 
this,  and  a  word  will  prove  it.  I  am  not  a 
tyrant,  though  I  seem  such ;  therefore  you  are 
free  to  try  your  fate  before  you  gratify  my  whim 
and  make  Gladys  happy." 

"  You  think  the  answer  will  be  '  No  ? ' "  and 
Canaris  forgot  every  thing  but  the  hope  which 
tempted,  even  while  reason  told  him  it  was  vain. 

"  It  always  has  been  ;  it  always  will  be,  if  I 
know  her." 


60         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Will  'be  till  you  ask." 

"  Rest  easy ;  I  am  done  with  love." 

"  But  if  she  answers  '  Yes '  ? " 
, "  Then  bid  good-bye  to  peace,  —  and  me." 

The  answer  startled  the  young  lover,  and 
made  him  shrink  from  what  he  ardently  desired  ; 
for  the  new  passion  was  but  an  enthralment  of 
the  senses,  and  he  knew  it  by  the  fine  instinct 
which  permits  such  men  to  see  and  condemn 
their  lower  nature,  even  while  yielding  to  its 
sway. 

But  pride  silenced  doubt,  and  native  courage 
made  it  impossible  to  shun  the  trial  or  accept 
the  warning.  His  eye  lit,  his  head  rose,  and  he 
spoke  out  manfully,  though  unconsciously  he 
wore  the  look  of  one  who  goes  to  lead  a  forlorn 
hope,  — 

"  I  shall  try  my  fate  to-night,  and,  if  I  fail,  you 
may  do  what  you  like  with  me." 

"  Not  a  coward,  thank  Heaven  ! "  mused  Hel- 
wyze,  as  he  looked  after  the  retreating  figure 
with  the  contemptuous  admiration  one  gives  to 
any  foolhardy  enterprise  bravely  undertaken. 
"  He  must  have  his  lesson,  and  will  be  the  tamer 
for  it,  unless  Olivia  takes  me  at  my  word,  and 
humors  the  boy,  for  vengeance'  sake.  That 
would  be  a  most  dramatic  complication,  and 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         6 1 

endanger  my  winter's  comfort  seriously.  Come, 
suspense  is  a  new  emotion  ;  I  will  enjoy  it,  and 
meantime  make  sure  of  Gladys,  or  I  may  be  left 
in  the  lurch.  A  reckless  boy  and  a  disappointed 
woman  are  capable  of  any  folly." 


62         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 


V. 


TTELWYZE  folded  the  black  velvet  paletdt 
about  him,  stroked  the  damp  hair  off  his 
forehead,  and,  with  hands  loosely  clasped  behind 
his  back,  went  walking  slowly  through  the  quiet 
house,  to  find  the  bright  drawing-room  and 
breezy  balcony  already  deserted. 

No  sound  of  voice  or  step  gave  him  the  clew 
he  sought ;  and,  pausing  in  the  hall,  he  stood  a 
moment,  his  finger  on  his  lip,  wondering  whither 
Gladys  had  betaken  herself. 

"  Not  with  them,  assuredly.  Dreaming  in  the 
moonshine  somewhere.  I  must  look  again." 

Retracing  his  noiseless  steps,  he  glanced  here 
and  there  with  eyes  which  nothing  could  escape, 
for  trifles  were  significant  to  his  quick  wit ;  and 
he  found  answers  to  unspoken  queries  in  the 
relics  the  vanished  trio  left  behind  them. 
Olivia's  fan,  flung  down  upon  a  couch,  made  him 
smile,  as  if  he  saw  her  toss  it  there  when  yield 
ing  half-impatiently  to  the  entreaties  of  Canaris. 
An  ottoman,  pushed  hastily  aside,  told  where  the 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         63 

young  lover  sat,  till  he  beguiled  her  out  to  listen 
to  the  pleading  which  would  wax  eloquent  and 
bold  under  cover  of  the  summer  night.  The 
instrument  stood  open,  a  favorite  song  upon 
the  rack,  but  the  glimmering  keys  were  mute ; 
and  the  wind  alone  was  singing  fitfully.  A 
little  hat  lay  in  the  window,  as  if  ready  to  be 
caught  up  in  glad  haste  when  the  summons 
came ;  but  the  dew  had  dimmed  the  freshness 
of  its  azure  ribbons,  and  there  was  a  forlorn  look 
about  the  girlish  thing,  which  told  the  story  of  a 
timid  hope,  a  silent  disappointment 

"  Where  the  deuce  is  the  child  ? "  and  Helwyze 
cast  an  ireful  look  about  the  empty  room  ;  for 
motion  wearied  him,  and  any  thwarting  of  his 
will  was  dangerous.  Suddenly  his  eye  bright 
ened,  and  he  nodded,  as  if  well  pleased  ;  for 
below  the  dark  drapery  that  hung  before  an 
arch,  a  fold  of  softest  white  betrayed  the  wearer. 

"  Now  I  have  her ! "  he  whispered,  as  if  to 
some  familiar  ;  and,  parting  the  curtains,  looked 
down  upon  the  little  figure  sitting  there  alone, 
bathed  in  moonlight  as  purely  placid  as  the  face 
turned  on  him  when  he  spoke. 

"  Might  one  come  in  ?  The  house  seems 
quite  deserted,  and  I  want  some  charitable  soul 
to  say  a  friendly  word  to  me." 


64         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Oh,  yes  !  What  can  I  do,  sir  ?  "  With  the 
look  of  a  suddenly  awakened  child,  Gladys  rose 
up,  and  involuntarily  put  out  her  hand  as  if  to 
heap  yet  more  commodiously  the  pillows  of  the 
couch  which  filled  the  alcove ;  then  paused, 
remembering  what  Canaris  had  told  her  of  the 
invalid's  rejection  of  all  sympathy,  and  stood 
regarding  him  with  a  shy,  yet  wistful  glance, 
which  plainly  showed  the  impulse  of  her  tender 
heart. 

Conscious  that  the  surest  way  to  win  this 
simple  creature  was  by  submitting  to  be  com 
forted, —  for  in  her,  womanly  compassion  was 
stronger  than  womanly  ambition,  vanity,  or 
interest,  —  Helwyze  shed  a  reassuring  smile 
upon  her,  as  he  threw  himself  down,  exclaiming, 
with  a  sigh  of  satisfaction,  doubly  effective  from 
one  who  so  seldom  owned  the  weariness  that 
oppressed  him,  — 

"  Yes  :  you  shall  make  me  comfortable,  if  you 
kindly  will ;  the  heat  exhausts  me,  and  I  cannot 
sleep.  Ah,  this  is  pleasant !  You  have  the  gift 
of  piling  pillows  for  weary  heads,  Gladys.  Now, 
let  the  moonlight  make  a  picture  of  you,  as  it  did 
before  I  spoilt  it ;  then  I  shall  envy  no  man." 

Pleased,  yet  abashed,  the  girl  sank  back  into 
her  place  on  the  wide  window  ledge,  and  bent 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         65 

her  face  over  the  blooming  linden  spray  that  lay 
upon  her  lap,  unconsciously  making  of  herself 
a  prettier  picture  than  before. 

"  Musing  here  alone  ?  Not  sorrowfully,  I 
hope  ? " 

"  I  never  feel  alone,  sir,  and  seldom  sorrowful." 

" '  They  never  are  alone  that  are  accompanied 
with  noble  thoughts  ; '  yet  it  would  not  be  un 
natural  if  you  felt  both  sad  and  solitary,  so 
young,  so  isolated,  in  this  big,  bad  world  of  ours." 

"A  beautiful  and  happy  world  to  me,  sir. 
Even  loneliness  is  pleasant,  because  with  it 
comes  —  liberty." 

The  last  word  fell  from  her  lips  involuntarily  ; 
and,  with  a  wonderfully  expressive  gesture,  she 
lifted  her  arms  as  if  some  heavy  fetter  had 
newly  dropped  away. 

Ardent  emphasis  and  forceful  action  both 
surprised  and  interested  Helwyze,  confirming 
his  suspicion  that  this  girlish  bosom  hid  a  spirit 
as  strong  as  pure,  capable  of  deep  suffering, 
exquisite  happiness,  heroic  effort.  His  eye 
shone,  and  he  gave  a  satisfied  nod  ;  for  his  first 
careless  words  had  struck  fire  from  the  girl, 
making  his  task  easier  and  more  attractive. 

"  And  how  will  you  use  this  freedom  ?  A 
precious,  yet  a  perilous,  gift  for  such  as  you." 


66         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Can  any  thing  so  infinitely  sweet  and  sacred 
be  dangerous  ?  He  who  planted  the  longing 
for  it  here,  and  gave  it  me  when  most  needed, 
will  surely  teach  me  how  to  use  it.  I  have  no 
fear." 

The  bent  head  was  erect  now  ;  the  earnest  face 
turned  full  on  Helwyze  with  such  serene  faith 
shining  in  it,  that  the  sneer  died  off  his  lips, 
and  something  like  genuine  compassion  touched 
him,  at  the  sight  of  such  brave  innocence  tran 
quilly  confronting  the  unknown  future. 

"  May  nothing  molest,  or  make  afraid.  While 
here,  you  are  quite  safe  ;  —  you  do,  then,  think  of 
going?"  he  added,  as  a  quick  change  arrested 
him. 

"  I  do,  sir,  and  soon.  I  only  wait  to  see  how, 
and  where." 

It  was  difficult  to  believe  that  so  resolute  a 
tone  could  come  into  a  voice  so  gentle,  or  that 
lips  whose  shape  was  a  smile  could  curl  with 
such  soft  scorn.  But  both  were  there ;  for  the 
memory  of  that  other  woman's  story  embittered 
even  gratitude,  since  in  the  girl's  simple  creed 
disloyalty  to  love  was  next  to  disloyalty  to  God. 

•Helwyze  watched  her  closely,  while  his  fingers 
fell  to  tapping  idly  on  the  sofa  scroll ;  and  the 
spark  brightened  under  the  lids  that  contracted 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         6/ 

with  the  intent  expression  of  concentrated 
sight. 

"  Perhaps  I  can  show  you  how  and  when. 
May  I  ? "  he  asked,  assuming  a  paternal  air, 
which  inwardly  amused  him  much. 

Gladys  looked,  hesitated,  and  a  shade  of  per 
plexity  dimmed  the  clear  brightness  of  her  glance, 
as  if  vaguely  conscious  of  distrust,  and  troubled 
by  its  seeming  causelessness. 

Helwyze  saw  it,  and  quickly  added  the  magic 
al  word  which  lulled  suspicion,  roused  interest, 
and  irresistibly  allured  her  fancy. 

"  Pardon  me  ;  I  should  not  have  ventured  to 
speak,  if  Felix  had  not  hinted  that  you  began  to 
weary  of  dependence,  as  all  free  spirits  must ; 
your  own  words  confirm  the  hint ;  and  I  desired 
to  share  my  cousin's  pleasure  in  befriending,  if 
I  might,  one  who  can  so  richly  repay  all  obliga 
tion.  Believe  me,  Gladys,,  your  voice  is  a  treas 
ure,  which,  having  discovered,  we  want  to  share 
between  us." 

If  the  moonlight  had  been  daybreak,  the  girl's 
cheek  could  not  have  shown  a  rosier  glow,  as 
she  half -averted  it  to  hide  the  joy  she  felt  at 
knowing  Canaris  had  taken  thought  for  her  so 
soon.  Her  heart  fluttered  with  tender  hopes 
and  fears,  like  a  nestful  of  eager  birds ;  and,  for- 


68         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

getting  doubt  in  delight,  she  yielded  to  the  lure 
held  out  to  her. 

"  You  are  most  kind :  I  shall  be  truly  grateful 
if  you  will  advise  me,  sir.  Mrs.  Surry  has  do.ne 
so  much,  I  can  ask  no  more,  but  rather  hasten 
to  relieve  her  of  all  further  care  of  me." 

"  She  will  be  loth  to  lose  you  ;  but  the  friend 
of  whom  I  am  about  to  speak  needs  you  much, 
and  can  give  you  what  you  love  better  even 
than  kindness,  —  independence," 

"  Yes :  that  is  what  I  long  for !  I  will  do  any 
thing  for  daily  bread,  if  I  may  earn  it  honestly, 
and  eat  it  in  freedom,"  leaning  nearer,  with 
clasped  hands  and  eager  look. 

"  Could  you  be  happy  to  spend  some  hours  of 
each  day  in  reading,  singing  to,  and  amusing  a 
poor  soul,  who  sorely  needs  such  pleasant  com 
forting  ? " 

"  I  could.  It  would  be  very  sweet  to  do  it ; 
and  I  know  how,  excellently  well,  for  I  have  had 
good  training.  My  father  was  an  invalid,  and  I 
his  only  nurse  for  years." 

"  Fortunate  for  me  in  all  ways,"  thought  Hel- 
wyze,  finding  another  reason  for  his  purpose  ; 
while  Gladys,  bee-like,  getting  sweetness  out  of 
bitter-herbs,  said  to  herself,  "Those  weary 
years  had  their  use,  and  are  not  wasted,  as  I 
feared." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         69 

"I  think  these  duties  will  not  be  difficult  nor 
distasteful,"  continued  Helwyze,  marking  the 
effect  of  each  attraction,  as  he  mentioned  it  with 
modest  brevity.  "  It  is  a  quiet  place ;  plenty  of 
rare  books  to  read,  fine  pictures  to  study,  and 
music  to  enjoy ;  a  little  clever  society,  to  keep 
wits  bright  and  enliven  solitude;  hours  of  leis 
ure,  and  entire  liberty  to  use  them  as  you  will. 
Would  this  satisfy  you,  Gladys,  till  something 
better  can  be  found  ? " 

"  Better ! "  echoed  the  girl,  with  the  expression 
of  one  who,  having  asked  for  a  crust,  is  bidden 
to  a  feast.  "Ah,  sir,  it  sounds  too  pleasant  for 
belief.  I  long  for  all  these  lovely  things,  but 
never  hoped  to  have  them.  Can  I  earn  so 
much  happiness  ?  Am  I  a  fit  companion  for 
this  poor  lady,  who  must  need  the  gentlest  nurs 
ing,  if  she  suffers  in  the  midst  of  so  much  to 
enjoy  ?" 

"  You  will  suit  exactly ;  have  no  fear  of  that, 
my  good  child.  Just  be  your  own  happy,  help 
ful  self,  and  you  can  make  sunshine  anywhere. 
We  will  talk  more  of  this  when  you  have  turned 
it  over  in  that  wise  young  head  of  yours.  Olivia 
may  have  some  more  attractive  plan  to  offer." 

But  Gladys  shook  "  the  wise  young  head " 
with  a  decided  air,  as  piquante  as  the  sudden 
resolution  in  her  artless  voice. 


70         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  I  shall  choose  for  myself  ;  your  plan  pleases 
me  better  than  any  Mrs.  Surry  is  likely  to  pro 
pose.  She  says  I  must  not  work,  but  rest  and 
enjoy  myself.  I  will  work  ;  I  love  it ;  ease  steals 
away  my  strength,  and  pleasure  seems  to  dazzle 
me.  I  must  be  strong,  for  I  have  only  myself  to 
lean  upon ;  I  must  see  clearly,  for  my  only  guide 
is  my  own  conscience.  I  will  think  of  your 
most  kind  offer,  and  be  ready  to  accept  it  when 
ever  you  like  to  try  me,  sir." 

"  Thanks ;  I  like  to  try  you  now,  then  ;  sit 
here  and  croon  some  drowsy  song,  to  show  how 
well  you  can  lull  wakeful  senses  into  that  blessed 
oblivion  called  sleep." 

As  he  spoke,  Helwyze  drew  a  low  seat  beside 
the  couch,  and  beckoned  her  to  come  and  take 
it ;  for  she  had  risen  as  if  to  go,  and  he  had  no 
mind  to  be  left  alone  yet. 

"  I  am  so  pleased  you  asked  me  to  do  this,  for 
it  is  my  special  gift.  Papa  was  very  stubborn, 
but  he  always  had  to  yield,  and  often  called 
me  his  'sleep  compeller.'  Let  me  drop  the 
curtain  first,  light  is  so  exciting,  and  draws  the 
insects.  I  shall  keep  them  off  with  this  pretty 
fan,  and  you  will  find  the  faint  perfume  sooth- 
ing." 

Full  of  the  sweetest  good-will,  Gladys  leaned 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         7 1 

across  the  couch  to  darken  the  recess  before 
the  lullaby  began.  But  Helwyze,  feeling  in  a 
mood  for  investigation  and  experiment,  arrested 
the  outstretched  hand,  and,  holding  it  in  his, 
turned  the  full  brilliance  of  his  fine  eyes  on  hers, 
asking  with  most  seductive  candor,  — 

"  Gladys,  if  /  were  the  friend  of  whom  we 
spoke,  would  you  come  to  me  ?  You  compel 
truth  as  well  as  sleep,  and  I  cannot  deceive  you, 
while  you  so  willingly  serve  me." 

A  moment  she  stood  looking  down  into  the 
singular  countenance  before  her  with  a  curious 
intentness  in  her  own.  A  slight  quickening  of 
the  breath  was  all  the  sign  she  gave  of  a  con 
sciousness  of  the  penetrative  glance  fixed  upon 
her,  the  close  grasp  of  his  hand ;  otherwise  un 
embarrassed  as  a  child,  she  regarded  him  with 
an  expression  maidenly  modest,  but  quite  com 
posed.  Helwyze  keenly  enjoyed  these  glimpses 
of  the  new  character  with  which  he  chose  to 
meddle,  yet  was  both  piqued  and  amused  by 
her  present  composure,  when  the  mere  name  of 
Felix  filled  her  with  the  delicious  shamefaced- 
ness  of  a  first  love. 

It  was  a  little  curious  that  during  the  instant 
the  two  surveyed  each  other,  that,  while  the 
girl's  color  faded,  a  light  red  tinged  the  man's 


72         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

pale  cheek,  her  eye  grew  clear  and  cold  as  his 
softened,  and  the  small  hand  seemed  to  hold 
the  larger  by  the  mere  contact  of  its  passive 
fingers. 

Slow  to  arrive,  the  answer  was  both  compre 
hensive  and  significant,  but  very 'brief,  for  three 
words  held  it. 

"  Could  I  come  ?  " 

Helwyze  laughed  with  real  enjoyment. 

"  You  certainly  have  the  gift  of  surprises,  if  no 
other,  and  it  makes  you  charming,  Gladys.  I 
fancied  you  as  unsophisticated  as  if  you  were 
eight,  instead  of  eighteen,  and  here  I  find  you 
as  discreet  as  any  woman  of  the  world,  —  more 
so  than  many.  Where  did  you  learn  it,  child  ?  " 

"  From  myself  ;  I  have  no  other  teacher." 

"  Ah  !  '  instinct  is  a  fine  thing,  my  masters.' 
You  could  not  have  a  better  guide.  Rest  easy, 
little  friend,  the  proprieties  shall  be  preserved, 
and  you  can  come,  if  you  decide  to  do  me  the 
honor.  My  old  housekeeper  is  a  most  decorous 
and  maternal  creature,  and  into  her  keeping  you 
will  pass.  Felix  pleased  me  well,  but  his  time 
is  too  valuable  now ;  and,  selfish  as  I  am,  I  hesi 
tate  to  keep  for  my  own  comfort  the  man  who 
can  charm  so  many.  Will  you  come,  and  take 
his  place?" 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         73 

Helwyze  could  not  deny  himself  the  pleasure 
of  calling  back  the  tell-tale  color,  for  the  blushes 
of  a  chaste  woman  are  as  beautiful  as  the  bloom 
ing  of  a  flower.  Quickly  the  red  tide  rose,  even 
to  the  brow,  the  eyes  fell,  the  hand  thrilled,  and 
the  steady  voice  faltered  traitorously,  "I  could 
not  fill  it,  sir." 

Still  detaining  her,  that  he  might  catch  the 
sweet  aroma  of  an  opening  heart,  Helwyze 
added,  as  the  last  temptation  to  this  young  Eve, 

' 

whom  he  was  beguiling  out  of  the  safe  garden 
of  her  tranquil  girlhood  into  the  unknown  world 
of  pain  and  passion,  waiting  for  womankind 
beyond,  — 

"  Not  for  my  own  sake  alone  do  I  want  you, 
but  for  his.  Life  is  full  of  perils  for  him,  and  he 
needs  a  home.  I  cannot  make  one  for  him,  ex 
cept  in  this  way,  for  my  house  is  my  prison,  and 
he  wearies  of  it  naturally.  But  I  can  give  it  a 
new  charm,  add  a  never-failing  attraction,  and 
make  it  homelike  by  a  woman's  presence.  Will 
you  help  me  in  this  ?  " 

"  I  am  not  wise  enough  ;  Mrs.  Surry  is  often 
with  you :  surely  she  could  make  it  homelike 
far  better  than  I,"  stammered  Gladys,  chilled 
by  a  sudden  fear,  as  she  remembered  Canaris' 
face  as  he  departed  with  Olivia  an  hour  ago. 

4 


74         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Pardon ;  that  is  precisely  what  she  cannot 
do.  Such  women  weary  while  they  dazzle,  the 
gentler  sort  win  while  they  soothe.  We  shall 
see  less  of  her  in  future  ;  it  is  not  well  for  Felix. 
Take  pity  on  me,  at  least,  and  answer  '  Yes.'  " 

"  I  do,  sir." 

"  How  shall  I  thank  you  ? "  and  Helwyze 
kissed  the  hand  as  he  released  it,  leaving  a  little 
thorn  of  jealousy  behind  to  hoodwink  prudence, 
stimulate  desire,  and  fret  the  inward  peace  that 
was  her  best  possession. 

Glad  to  take  refuge  in  music,  the  girl  as 
sumed  her  seat,  and  began  to  sing  dreamily  to 
the  slow  waving  of  the  green  spray.  Helwyze 
feigned  to  be  courting  slumber,  but  from  the 
ambush  of  downcast  lids  he  stole  sidelong  glances 
at  the  countenance  so  near  his  own,  that  he  could 
mark  the  gradual  subsiding  of  emotion,  the  slow 
return  of  the  repose  which  made  its  greatest 
charm  for  him.  And  so  well  did  he  feign,  that 
presently,  as  if  glad  to  see  her  task  successfully 
ended,  Gladys  stole  away  to  the  seclusion  of  her 
own  happy  thoughts. 

Busied  with  his  new  plans  and.  purposes,  Hel 
wyze  waited  till  his  patience  was  rewarded  by 
seeing  the  face  of  Canaris  appear  at  the  window, 
glance  in,  and  vanish  as  silently  as  it  came.  But 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         75 

one  look  was  enough,  and  in  that  flash  of  time 
the  other  read  how  the  rash  wooing  had  sped, 
or  thought  he  did,  till  Olivia  came  sweeping 
through  the  room,  flung  wide  the  curtains,  and 
looked  in  with  eyes  as  brilliant  as  if  they  had 
borrowed  light  of  the  fire-flies  dancing  there 
without. 

"A  fan,  a  cigarette,  a  scarlet  flower  behind 
the  ear,  and  the  Spanish  donna  would  be  quite 
perfect,"  he  said,  surveying  with  lazy  admiration 
the  richly  colored  face,  which  looked  out  from 
the  black  lace,  wrapped  mantilla-wise  over  the 
dark  hair  and  whitely  gleaming  arms. 

"  Is  the  snowdrop  gone  ?  Then  I  will  come 
in,  and  hear  how  the  new  handmaid  suits.  I 
saw  her  at  her  pleasing  task." 

"  So  well  that  I  should  like  to  keep  her  at  it 
long  and  often.  Where  is  Felix  ? " 

His  words,  his  look,  angered  Olivia,  and  she 
answered  with  smiling  ambiguity,  — 

"  Out  of  his  misery,  at  last." 

"  Cruel  as  ever.     I  told  him  it  would  be  so." 

"  On  the  'contrary,  I  have  been  kind,  as  I 
promised  to  be." 

"  Then  his  face  belied  him." 

"Would  it  please  you,  if  I  had  ventured  to 
forestall  your  promised  gift,  and  accepted  all 


76         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

Felix  has  to  offer  me,  himself.  I  have  my 
whims,  like  you,  and  follow  them  as  recklessly." 

Helwyze  knit  his  brows,  but  answered  negli 
gently,  "  Folly  never  pleases  me.  It  will  be 
amusing  to  see  which  tires  first.  I  shall  miss 
him  ;  but  his  place  is  already  filled,  and  Gladys 
has  the  charm  of  novelty." 

"  You  have  spoken,  then  ?  " 

"  Forewarned,  forearmed  ;  I  have  her  promise, 
and  Felix  can  go  when  he  likes." 

Olivia  paled,  dropped  her  mask,  and  exclaimed 
in  undisguised  alarm,  — 

"  There  is  no  need  :  I  have  no  thought  of  such 
folly !  My  kindness  to  Felix  was  the  sparing 
him  an  avowal,  which  was  simply  absurd.  A 
word,  a  laugh,  did  it,  for  ridicule  cures  more 
quickly  and  surely  than  compassion." 

"  I  thought  so.  Why  try  to  fence  with  me, 
Madama  ?  you  always  get  the  worst  of  it,"  and 
Helwyze  made  the  green  twig  whistle  through 
the  air  with  a  sharp  turn  of  the  wrist,  as  he  rose 
to  go  ;  for  these  two,  bound  together  by  a  mutual 
wrong,  seldom  met  without  bitter  words,  the 
dregs  of  a  love  which  might  have  blest  them 
both. 

He  found  Felix  waiting  for  him,  in  a  somewhat 
haughty  mood  ;  Olivia  having  judged  wisely  that 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         77 

ridicule,  though  a  harsh,  was  a  speedy  cure  for 
the  youthful  delusion,  which  had  been  fostered 
by  the  isolation  in  which  they  lived,  and  the 
ardent  imagination  of  a  poet. 

"You  were  right,  sir.  What  are  your  com 
mands  ? "  he  asked,  controlling  disappointment, 
pique,  and  unwillingness  with  a  spirit  that  won 
respect  and  forbearance  even  from  Helwyze, 
who  answered  with  a  cordial  warmth,  as  rare 
as  charming,  — 

"  I  have  none :  the  completion  of  my  wish  I 
leave  to  you.  Consult  your  own  time  and 
pleasure,  and,  when  it  is  happily  accomplished, 
be  assured  I  shall  not  forget  that  you  have 
shown  me  the  obedience  of  a  son." 

Quick  as  a  child  to  be  touched,  and  won  by 
kindness,  Canaris  flushed  with  grateful  feeling 
and  put  out  his  hand  impulsively,  as  he  had 
done  when  selling  his  liberty,  for  now  he  was 
selling  his  love. 

"  Forgive  my  waywardness.  I  will  be  guided 
by  you,  for  I  owe  you  my  life,  and  all  the  happi 
ness  I  have  known  in  it.  Gladys  shall  be  a 
daughter  to  you  ;  but  give  me  time  —  I  must 
teach  myself  to  forget." 

His  voice  broke  as  he  stumbled  over  the  last 
words,  for  pride  was  sore,  and  submission  hard. 


78         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

But  Helwyze  soothed  the  one  and  softened  the 
other  by  one  of  the  sympathetic  touches  which 
occasionally  broke  from  him,  proving  that  the 
man's  heart,  was  not  yet  quite  dead.  Laying 
his  hand  upon  the  young  man's  shoulder,  he 
said  in  a  tone  which  stirred  the  hearer  deeply,  — 
"  I  feared  this  pain  was  in  store  for  you,  but 
could  not  save  you  from  it.  Accept  the  gentle 
comforter  I  bring  you,  for  I  have  known  the 
same  pain,  and  /  had  no  Gladys." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         79 


VI. 


OO  the  days  went  by,  fast  and  fair  in  outward 
seeming,  while  an  undercurrent  of  unquiet 
emotion  rolled  below.  Helwyze  made  no  sign  of 
impatience,  but  silently  forwarded  his  wish,  by 
devoting  himself  to  Olivia ;  thereby  making  a 
green  oasis  in  the  desert  of  her  life,  and  leaving 
the  young  pair  to  themselves. 

At  first,  Canaris  shunned  every  one  as  much 
as  possible  ;  but  sympathy,  not  solitude,  was  the 
balm  he  wanted,  and  who  could  give  it  him 
so  freely  as  Gladys?  Her  mute  surprise  and 
doubt  and  grief  at  this  capricious  coldness,  after 
such  winning  warmth,  showed  him  that  the 
guileless  heart  was  already  his,  and  added  a 
soothing  sense  of  power  to  the  reluctance  and 
regret  which  by  turns  tormented  him. 

Irresistibly  drawn  by  the  best  instincts  of  a 
faulty  but  aspiring  nature  to  that  which  was 
lovely,  true,  and  pure,  he  soon  returned  to 
Gladys,  finding  in  her  sweet  society  a  refresh 
ment  and  repose  Olivia's  could  never  give  him. 


80         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

Love  he  did  not  feel,  but  affection,  the  more  help 
ful  for  its  calmness  ;  confidence,  which  was  given 
again  fourfold ;  and  reverence,  daily  deepening  as 
time  showed  him  the  gentle  strength  and  crys 
tal  clarity  of  the  spirit  he  was  linking  to  his 
own  by  ties  which  death  itself  could  not 
sever.  But  the  very  virtues  which  won,  also 
made  him  hesitate,  though  rash  enough  when 
yielding  to  an  attraction  far  less  noble.  A  sense 
of  unworthiness  restrained  him,  even  when  re 
luctance  had  passed  from  resignation  to  some 
thing  like  desire,  and  he  paused,  as  one  might, 
who  longed  to  break  a  delicate  plant,  yet  delayed, 
lest  it  should  wither  too  quickly  in  his  hand. 

Helwyze  and  Olivia  watched  this  brief  wooing 
with  peculiar  interest.  She,  being  happy  herself, 
was  full  of  good  hope  for  Gladys,  and  let  her  step, 
unwarned,  into  the  magic  circle  drawn  around 
her.  He  sat  as  if  at  a  play,  enjoying  the  pretty 
pastoral  enacted  before  him,  content  to  let 
"  summer  and  seclusion "  bring  the  young  pair 
together  as  naturally  and  easily  as  spring-time 
mates  the  birds.  Suspense  gave  zest  to  the 
new  combination,  surprise  added  to  its  flavor, 
and  a  dash  of  danger  made  it  unusually  attract 
ive  to  him. 

Canaris  came  to  him  one  day,  with  a  resolute 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.          8 1 

expression  on  his  face,  which  rendered  it  noble, 
as  well  as  beautiful. 

"  Sir,  I  will  not  do  this  thing  ;  I  dare  not." 

"  Dare  not !  Is  cowardice  to  be  added  to  dis 
obedience  and  falsehood  ?  "  and  Helwyze  looked 
up  from  his  book  with  a  contemptuous  frown. 

"  I  will  not  be  sneered  out  of  my  purpose ;  for 
I  never  did  a  braver,  better  act  than  when  I  say 
to  you,  '  I  dare  not  lie  to  Gladys.' " 

"  What  need  of  lying  ?  Surely  you  love  her 
now,  or  you  are  a  more  accomplished  actor  than 
I  thought  you." 

"  I  have  tried,  —  tried  too  faithfully  for  her 
peace,  I  fear  ;  but,  though  I  reverence  her  as  an 
angel,  I  do  not  love  her  as  a  woman.  How  can 
I  look  into  her  innocent,  confiding  face,  and  tell 
her,  —  she  who  is  all  truth,  —  that  I  love  as  she 
does  ? " 

"  Yet  that  is  the  commonest,  most  easily  for 
given  falsehood  a  man  can  utter.  Is  it  so  hard 
for  you  to  deceive  ? " 

Quick  and  deep  rose  the  hot  scarlet  to  Canaris's 
face,  and  his  eyes  fell,  as  if  borne  down  by  the 
emphasis  of  that  one  word.  But  the  sincerity  of 
his  desire  brought  courage  even  out  of  shame ; 
and,  lifting  his  head  with  a  humility  more  im 
pressive  than  pride  or  anger,  he  said,  steadily,  — 


82         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  If  this  truth  redeems  that  falsehood,  I  shall, 
at  least,  have  recovered  my  own  self-respect.  I 
never  knew  that  I  had  lost  it,  till  Gladys  showed 
me  how  poor  I  was  in  the  virtue  which  makes 
her  what  she  is." 

"  What  conscientious  qualm  is  this  ?  Where 
would  this  truth-telling  bring  you  ?  How  would 
your  self-respect  bear  the  knowledge  that  you  had 
broken  the  girl's  heart  ?  for,  angel  as  you  call 
her,  she  has  one,  and  you  have  stolen  it." 

"  At  your  bidding." 

"  Long  before  I  thought  of  it.  Did  you  im 
agine  you  could  play  with  her,  to  pique  Olivia, 
without  harm  to  Gladys  ?  Is  yours  a  face  to 
smile  on  a  woman,  day  after  day,  and  not  teach 
her  to  love  ?  In  what  way  but  this  can  you  atone 
for  such  selfish  thoughtlessness  ?  Come,  if  we 
are  to  talk  of  honor  and  honesty,  do  it  fairly,  and 
not  shift  the  responsibility  of  your  acts  upon  my 
shoulders." 

"  Have  I  done  that  ?  I  never  meant  to  trouble 
her.  Is  there  no  way  out  of  it  but  this  ?  Oh, 
sir,  I  am  not  fit  to  marry  her!  What  am  I,  to 
take  a  fellow-creature's  happiness  into  my  hands  ? 
What  have  I  to  offer  her  but  the  truth  in  return 
for  her  love,  if  I  must  take  it  to  secure  her 
peace  ? " 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         83 

"  If  you  offer  the  truth,  you  certainly  will  have 
nothing  else,  and  not  even  receive  love  in  return, 
perhaps  ;  for  her  respect  may  go  with  all  the 
rest.  If  I  know  her,  the  loss  of  that  would  wound 
her  heart  more  deeply  than  the  disappointment 
your  silence  will  bring  her  now.  Think  of  this, 
and  be  wise  as  well  as  generous  in  the  atonement 
you  should  make." 

"  Bound,  whichever  way  I  look ;  for  when  I 
meant  to  be  kindest  I  am  cruel." 

Canaris  stood  perplexed,  abashed,  remorseful ; 
for  Helwyze  had  the  art  to  turn  even  his  virtues 
into  weapons  against  him,  making  his  new-born 
regard  for  Gladys  a  reason  for  being  falsely  true, 
dishonorably  tender.  The  honest  impulse  sud 
denly  looked  weak  and  selfish,  compassion  seemed 
nobler  than  sincerity,  and  present  peace  better 
than  future  happiness. 

Helwyze  saw  that  he  was  wavering,  and  turned 
the  scale  by  calling  to  his  aid  one  of  the  strong 
est  passions  that  rule  men,  —  the  spirit  of  rivalry, 
—  knowing  well  its  power  over  one  so  young,  SG 
vain  and  sensitive. 

"  Felix,  there  must  be  an  end  of  this  ;  I  am 
tired  of  it.  Since  you  are  more  enamoured  of 
truth  than  Gladys,  choose,  and  abide  by  it.  I 
shall  miss  my  congenial  comrade,  but  I  will  not 


84         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

keep  him  if  he  feels  my  friendship  slavery.  I 
release  you  from  all  promises :  go  your  way,  in 
peace ;  I  can  do  without  you." 

A  daring  offer,  and  Helwyze  risked  much  in 
making  it ;  but  he  knew  the  man  before  him,  and 
that  in  seeming  to  set  free,  he  only  added  another 
link  to  the  invisible  chain  by  which  he  held  him. 
Canaris  looked  relieved,  amazed,  and  touched,  as 
he  exclaimed,  incredulously,  — ; 

"Do  you  mean  it,  sir?  " 

"  I  do  ;  but  in  return  for  your  liberty  I  claim 
the  right  to  use  mine  as  I  will." 

"  Use  it  ?     I  do  not  understand." 

"  To  comfort  Gladys." 

"  How  ? " 

"  You  do  not  love  her,  and  leave  her  doubly 
forlorn,  since  you  have  given  her  a  glimpse  of 
love.  I  must  befriend  her,  as  you  will  not ;  and 
when  she  comes  to  me,  as  she  has  promised,  if 
she  is  happy,  I  shall  keep  her." 

" Ks  fille  adoptive" 

Canaris  affirmed,  not  asked,  this ;  and,  in  the 
changed  tone,  the  suspicious  glance,  Helwyze 
saw  that  he  had  aimed  well.  With  a  smile  that 
was  a  sneer,  he  answered  coldly,  — 

"  Hardly  that :  the  paternal'  element  is  sadly 
lacking  in  me  ;  and,  if  it  were  not,  I  fear  a  man 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         85 

of  forty  could  not  adopt  a  girl  of  eighteen  with 
out  compromising  her,  especially  one  so  lonely 
and  so  lovely  as  poor  little  Gladys." 

"  You  will  marry  her  ?  Yet  when  I  hinted  it, 
you  said,-'  Impossible  ! ' ' 

"  I  did  ;  but  then  I  did  not  know  how  helpful 
she  could  be,  how  glad  to  love,  how  easy  to  be 
won  by  kindness.  Ennui  drives  one  to  do  the 
rashest  things  ;  and  when  you  are  gone,  I  shall 
find  it  difficult  to  fill  your  place.  'Tis  a  pity  to 
tie  the  pretty  creature  to  such  a  clod.  But,  if  I 
can  help  and  keep  her  in  no  other  way,  I  may  do 
it,  remembering  that  her  captivity  would  be  a 
short  one ;  it  should  be  my  care  that  it  was 
a  very  light  one  while  it  lasted." 

"  But  she  loves  me  /"  exclaimed  Canaris,  with 
jealous  inconsistency. 

"  I  fear  so  ;  yet  you  reject  her  for  a  scruple. 
Hearts  are  easily  caught  in  the  rebound ;  and 
who  will  hold  hers  more  gently  than  I  ?  Olivia 
will  tell  you  I  can  be  gentle  when  it  suits  me." 

The  name  stung  Canaris,  where  pride  was 
sorest ;  and  the  thought,  that  this  man  could 
take  from  him  both  the  woman  whom  he  loved 
and  the  girl  who  loved  him,  roused  an  ignoble 
desire  to  silence  the  noble  one.  He  showed  it 
instantly,  for  his  eye  shot  a  quick  glance  at  the 


86         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

mirror ;  a  smile  that  was  almost  insolent  passed 
over  his  face ;  and  his  air  was  full  of  the  proud 
consciousness  of  youth,  health,  comeliness,  and 
talent. 

"  Thanks  for  my  freedom ;  I  shall  know  how 
to  use  it.  Since  I  may  tell  Gladys  the  truth,  I 
do  not  dread  her  love  so  much  ;  and  will  atone 
generously,  if  I  can.  I  think  she  will  accept 
poverty  with  me  rather  than  luxury  with  you. 
At  least  she  shall  have  her  choice." 

"Well  said.  You  will  succeed,  since  you 
possess  all  the  gifts  which  win  women  except 
wealth  and"  — 

"  Stop !  you  shall  not  say  it,"  cried  Canaris, 
hotly.  "  Are  you  possessed  of  a  devil,  that  you 
torment  me  so?"  He  clenched  his  hands,  and 
walked  fast  through  the  room,  as  if  to  escape 
from  some  fierce  impulse. 

A  certain,  almost  brutal,  frankness  charac 
terized  the  intercourse  of  these  men  at  times; 
for  the  tie  between  them  was  a  peculiar  one,  and 
fretted  both,  though  both  clung  to  it  with  strange 
tenacity.  With  equal  candor  and  entire  com 
posure  Helwyze  answered  the  excited  question. 

"  We  are  all  possessed,  more  or  less  ;  happy 
the  man  who  is  master.  My  demon  is  a  bad 
one ;  for  your  intellectual  devil  is  hard  to  manage, 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.          87 

since  he  demands  the  best  of  us,  and  is  not  satis 
fied  or  cheated  as  easily  as  some  that  are  stronger, 
yet  less  cunning.  Yours  is  ambition,  —  an  insa 
tiable  fellow,  who  gives  you  no  rest.  I  had  a 
fancy  to  help  you  rule  him  ;  but  he  proves  less 
interesting  that  I  thought  to  find  him,  and  is 
getting  to  be  a  bore.  See  what  you  can  do, 
alone;  only,  when  he  gets  the  upper  hand  again, 
excuse  me  from  interfering :  once  is  enough." 

Canaris  made  no  reply,  but  dashed  out  of  the 
room,  as  if  he  could  bear  no  more,  leaving  Hel- 
wyze  to  throw  down  his  book,  muttering  impa 
tiently,  — 

"  Here  is  a  froward  favorite,  and  excitement 
with  a  vengeance  !  He  will  not  speak  yet ;  for 
with  all  his  fire  he  is  wary,  and  while  he  fumes  I 
must  work.  But  how  ?  but  how  ?  " 


88          A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 


VII. 

A    STORM  raged   all   that  night;  but  dawn 

came  up  so  dewy  and  serene,  that  the 

world  looked  like  a  child  waking  after  anger, 

with  happy  smiles  upon  its  lips,  penitential  tears 

in  its  blue  eyes. 

Canaris  was  early  astir,  after  a  night  as  stormy 
within  as  without,  during  which  he  had  gone 
through  so  many  alternations  of  feeling,  that, 
weary  and  still  undecided,  he  was  now  in  the 
mood  to  drift  whithersoever  the  first  eddy  im 
pelled  him.  Straight  to  Gladys,  it  seemed ;  and, 
being  superstitious,  he  accepted  the  accident  as 
a  good  omen,  following  his  own  desire,  and  call 
ing  it  fate. 

Wandering  in  the  loneliest,  wildest  spot  of  all 
the  domain,  he  came  upon  her  as  suddenly  as  if 
a  wish  had  brought  her  to  the  nook  haunted  for 
both  by  pleasant  memories.  Dew-drenched  her 
feet,  hatless  her  head  ;  but  the  feet  stood  firmly 
on  the  cliff  which  shelved  down  to  the  shore 
below,  and  the  upturned  head  shone  bright 


A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         89 

against  the  deep  blue  of  the  sky.  Morning 
peace  dwelt  in  her  eyes,  morning  freshness 
glowed  on  her  cheek,  and  her  whole  attitude 
was  one  of  unconscious  aspiration,  as  she  stood 
there  with  folded  hands  and  parted  lips,  drink 
ing  in  the  storm-cooled  breeze  that  blew  vigor 
ous  and  sweet  across  the  lake. 

"  What  are  you  doing  here  so  early,  little 
dryad  ? "  and  Canaris  paused,  with  an  almost 
irresistible  desire  to  put  out  his  arms  and  hold 
her,  lest  she  fly  away,  so  airy  was  her  perch, 
so  eager  her  look  into  the  boundless  distance 
before  her. 

"  Only  being  happy !  "  and  she  looked  down 
into  his  face  with  such  tender  and  timid  joy  in 
her  own,  he  hardly  had  need  to  ask,  — 

"  Why,  Gladys  ? " 

"  Because  of  this,"  showing  a  string  of  pearls 
that  hung  from  her  hand,  half-hidden  among  the 
trailing  bits  of  greenery  gathered  in  her  walk. 

"  Who  gave  you  that  ? "  demanded  Canaris, 
eying  it  with  undisguised  surprise  ;  for  the 
pearls  were  great,  globy  things,  milk-white,  and 
so  perfect  that  any  one  but  Gladys  would  have 
seer  how  costly  was  the  -gift. 

"  Need  you  ask  ?  "  she  said,  blushing  brightly. 

"  Why  not  ?     Do  you  suspect  me  ? " 


90         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  You  cannot  deceive  me  by  speaking  roughly 
and  looking  stern.  Who  but  you  would  put 
these  in  my  basket  without  a  word,  and  let  me 
find  them  there  when  I  laid  my  work  away 
last  night  ?  I  was  so  pleased,  so  proud,  I  could 
not  help  keeping  them,  though  far  too  beautiful 
for  me." 

Then  Canaris  knew  who  had  done  it ;  and  his 
hand  tightened  over  the  necklace,  while  his  eye 
went  towards  the  lake,  as  if  he  longed  to  throw 
it  far  into  the  water.  He  checked  himself,  and, 
turning  it  about  with  a  disdainful  air,  said, 
coldly,  — 

"  If  /  had  given  you  this,  it  should  have  been 
quite  perfect.  The  cross  is  not  large  nor  fine 
enough  to  match  the  chain.  Do  you  see  ? " 

"  Ah,  but  the  little  cross  is  more  precious 
than  all  the  rest !  That  is  the  one  jewel  my 
mother  left  me,  and  I  put  it  there  to  make  my 
rosary  complete  ; "  and  Gladys  surveyed  it  with  a 
pretty  mixture  of  devout  affection  and  girlish 
pleasure. 

"  I'll  give  you  a  better  one  than  this, — a  string 
of  tiny-carved  saints  in  scented  wood,  blessed 
by  holy  hands,  and  fit  to  say  prayers  like  yours 
upon.  You  will  take  it,  though  my  gift  is  not 
half  so  costly  as  his  ? "  he  said,  eagerly. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         91 

"Whose?" 

"  Helwyze  gave  you  that." 

"But  why?"  and  Gladys  opened  wide  her 
clear,  large  eyes  in  genuine  astonishment 

"  He  is  a  generous  master ;  your  singing 
pleases  him,  and  he  pays  you  so,"  replied  Ca- 
naris,  bitterly. 

"  He  is  not  my  master ! " 

"  He  will  be." 

"  Never !  I  shall  not  go,  if  I  am  to  be  burdened 
with  benefits.  I  will  earn  my  just  due,  but  not 
be  overpaid.  Tell  him  so." 

Gladys  caught  back  the  chain,  unclasped  the 
cross,  and  threw  the  pearls  upon  the  grass,  where 
they  lay,  gleaming,  like  great  drops  of  frozen  dew, 
among  the  green.  Canaris  liked  that ;  thought 
proudly,  "  /  have  no  need  to  bribe  ; "  and  has 
tened  to  make  his  own  the  thing  another  seemed 
to  covet.  Drawing  nearer,  he  looked  up,  asking, 
in  a  tone  that  gave  the  question  its  true  mean 
ing,— 

"  May  /  be  your  master,  Gladys  ? " 

"  Not  even  you." 

"  Your  slave,  then  ? " 

"  Never  that." 

"  Your  lover  ? " 

"  Yes." 


92         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  But  I  can  give  you  nothing  except  myself." 

"  Love  is  enough  ; "  and  finding  his  arms 
about  her,  his  face,  warm  and  wistful,  close  to 
hers,  Gladys  bent  to  give  and  take  the  first  kiss, 
which  was  all  they  had  to  bestow  upon  each 
other. 

Singularly  unimpassioned  was  the  embrace  in 
which  they  stood  for  a  brief  instant.  Canaris 
held  her  with  a  clasp  more  jealous  than  fond  ; 
Gladys  clung  to  him,  yet  trembled,  as  if  some 
fear  subdued  her  joy ;  and  both  vaguely  felt  the 
incompleteness  of  a  moment  which  should  be 
perfect 

"  You  do  love  me,  then  ? "  she  whispered, 
wondering  at  his  silence. 

"  Should  I  ask  you  to  be  my  wife  if  I  did  not  ? " 
and  the  stern  look  melted  into  an  expression  of 
what  seemed,  to  her,  reproach. 

"  No ;  ah,  no !  I  fancied  that  I  might  have 
deceived  myself.  I  am  so  young,  you  are  so  kind.. 
I  never  had  a  —  friend  before ; "  and  Gladys 
smiled  shyly,  as  the  word  which  meant  "  lover  " 
dropped  from  her  lips. 

"  I  am  not  kind :  I  am  selfish,  cruel,  perhaps, 
to  let  you  love  me  so.  You  will  never  reproach 
me  for  it,  Gladys  ?  I  mean  to  save  you  from  ills 
you  know  nothing  of ;  to  cherish  and  protect  you 
—  if  I  can." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         93 

Verily  in  earnest  now ;  for  the  touch  of  those 
innocent  lips  reminded  him  of  all  his  promise 
meant,  recalled  his  own  unfitness  to  guide  or 
guard  another,  when  so  wayward  and  unwise 
himself.  Gladys  could  not  understand  the  true 
cause  of  his  beseeching  look,  his  urgency  of  tone  ; 
but  saw  in  them  only  the  generous  desire  to  keep 
safe  the  creature  dearest  to  him,  and  loved  him 
the  more  for  it. 

"  I  never  can  think  you  selfish,  never  will  re 
proach  you  but  will  love  and  trust  and  honor 
you  all  my  life,"  she  answered,  with  a  simplicity 
as  solemn  as  sincere  ;  and,  holding  out  the  hand 
that  held  her  dead  mother's  cross,  Canaris 
pledged  his  troth  upon  it  with  the  mistaken 
chivalry  which  makes  many  a  man  promise  to 
defend  a  woman  against  all  men  but  himself. 

"  Now  you  can  be  happy  again,"  he  said,  feel 
ing  that  he  had  done  his  best  to  keep  her  so. 

She  thought  he  meant  look  out  upon  the  lake, 
dreaming  of  him  as  when  he  found  her ;  and,  turn 
ing,  stretched  forth  her  arms  as  if  to  embrace 
the  whole  world,  and  tell  the  smiling  heaven  her 
glad  secret. 

"  Doubly  happy ;  then  I  only  hoped,  now  I 
know  !  " 

Something  in  the  exultant  gesture,  the  fervent 


94         A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

tone,  the  radiant  face,  thrilled  Canaris  with  a 
sudden  admiration ;  a  feeling  of  proud  possession  ; 
a  conviction  that  he  had  gained,  not  lost ;  and 
he  said  within  himself,  — 

"  I  am  glad  I  did  it.  I  will  cherish  her ;  she 
will  inspire  me  ;  and  good  shall  come  out  of  seem 
ing  evil." 

His  spirits  rose  with  a  new  sense  of  well-being 
and  well-doing.  He  gathered  up  the  rejected 
treasure,  and  gave  it  back  to  Gladys,  saying 
lightly,— 

"  You  may  keep  it  as  a  wedding-gift ;  then  he 
need  give  no  other.  He  meant  it  so,  perhaps, 
and  it  will  please  him.  Will  you,  love  ? " 

"  If  you  ask  it.  But  why  must  brides  wear 
pearls  ?  They  mean  tears,"  she  added,  thought 
fully,  as  she  received  them  back. 

"  Perhaps  because  then  the  sorrows  of  their 
lives  begin.  Yours  shall  not :  I  will  see  to  that," 
he  promised,  with  the  blind  confidence  of  the 
self-sacrificing  mood  he  was  in. 

Gladys  sat  down  upon  the  rock  to  explore  a 
pocket,  so  small  and  empty  that  Canaris  could 
not  help  smiling,  as  he,  too,  leaned  and  looked 
with  a  lover's  freedom. 

"  Only  my  old  chain.  I  must  put  back  the 
cross,  else  I  shall  lose  it,"  laughed  Gladys,  as  she 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         95 

brought  out  a  little  cord  of  what  seemed  woven 
yellow  silk. 

"  Is  it  your  hair  ? "  he  asked,  his  eye  caught' 
by  its  peculiar  sunshiny  hue. 

"  Yes  ;  I  could  not  buy  a  better  one,  so  I  made 
this.  My  hair  is  all  the  gold  I  have." 

"  Give  it  to  me,  and  you  wear  mine.  See,  I 
have  an  amulet  as  well  as  you." 

Fumbling  in  his  breast,  Canaris  undid  a 
slender  chain,  whence  hung  a  locket,  curiously 
chased,  and  tarnished  with  long  wear.  This  he 
unslung,  and,  opening,  showed  Gladys  the  faded 
picture  of  a  beautiful,  sad  woman. 

"  That  is  my  Madonna." 

"  Your  mother  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"  Mine  now."  The  girl  touched  it  with  her 
lips,  then  softly  closed  and  laid  it  on  her  lap. 

Silently  Canaris  stood  watching  her,  as  she 
re-slung  both  poor  but  precious  relics,  while  the 
costlier  one  slipped  down,  as  if  ashamed  to  lie 
beside  them.  He  caught  and  swung  it  on  his 
finger,  thinking  of  something  he  had  lately  read 
to  Helwyze. 

"  Kharsu,  the  Persian,  sent  a  necklace  to 
Schirin,  the  princess,  whom  he  loved.  She  was 
a  Christian,  and  hung  a  cross  upon  his  string 
of  pearls,  as  you  did,"  he  said  aloud. 


96         A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  But  I  am  not  a  princess,  and  Mr.  Helwyze 
does  not  love  me  ;  so  the  pretty  story  is  all 
'spoiled." 

"  This  thing  recalled  it.  /  have  given  you  a 
necklace,  and  you  are  hanging  a  cross  upon  it. 
Wear  the  one,  and  use  the  other,  for  my  sake. 
Will  you,  Gladys?" 

"  Did  Schirin  convert  Kharsu  ? "  asked  the 
girl,  catching  his  thought  more  from  his  face 
than  his  words ;  for  it  wore  a  look  of  mingled 
longing  and  regret,  which  she  had  never  seen 
before. 

"  That  I  do  not  know  ;  but  you  must  convert 
me :  I  am  a  sad  heathen,  Helwyze  says." 

"  Has  he  tried  ? " 

"  No." 

"  Then  I  will !  " 

"You  see  I've  had  no  one  to  teach  me  any 
thing  but  worldly  wisdom,  and  I  sometimes  feel 
as  I  should  be  better  for  a  little  of  the  heavenly 
sort.  So  when  you  wear  the  rosary  I  shall  give 
you —  '  Fair  saint,  in  your  orisons  be  all  my  sins 
remembered  ; ' "  and  Canaris  put  his  hand  upon 
her  head,  smiling,  as  if  half-ashamed  of  his 
request. 

"  I  am  no  Catholic,  but  I  will  pray  for  you, 
and  you  shall  not  be  lost.  The  mother  in 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.          97 

heaven  and  the  wife  on  earth  will  keep  you 
safe,"  whispered  Gladys,  in  her  fervent  voice, 
feeling  and  answering  with  a  woman's  quickness 
the  half-expressed  desire  of  a  nature  conscious 
of  its  weakness,  yet  unskilled  in  asking  help  for 
its  greatest  need. 

Silently  the  two  young  lovers  put  on  their 
amulets,  and,  hand  in  hand,  went  back  along  the 
winding  path,  till  they  reached  the  great  eglan 
tine  that  threw  its  green  arches  across  the  out 
let  from  the  wood.  All  beyond  was  radiantly 
bright  and  blooming ;  and  as  Canaris,  passing 
first  to  hold  back  the  thorny  boughs,  stood  an 
instant,  bathed  in  the  splendor  of  the  early  sun 
shine,  Gladys  exclaimed,  her  face  full  of  the 
tender  idolatry  of  a  loving  woman, — 

"  O  Felix,  you  are  so  good,  so  great,  so 
beautiful,  if  it  were  not  wicked,  I  should  worship 
you ! " 

"  God  forbid !  Do  not  love  me  too  much, 
Gladys :  I  do  not  deserve  it." 

"  How  can  I  help  it,  when  I  feel  very  like  the 
girl  who  lost  her  heart  to  the  Apollo  ? "  she 
answered,  feeling  that  she  never  could  love  too 
much. 

"  And  broke  her  heart,  you  remember,  because 
her  god  was  only  a  stone." 
5  G 


98          A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Mine  is  not,  and  he  will  answer  when  I  call." 

"  If  he  does  not,  he  will  be  harder  and  colder 
than  the  marble  ! " 

When  Canaris,  some  hours  later,  told  Hel- 
wyze,  he  looked  well  pleased,  thinking,  "Jeal 
ousy  is  a  helpful  ally.  I  do  not  regret  calling 
in  its  aid,  though  it  has  cost  Olivia  her  pearls." 
Aloud  he  said,  with  a  gracious  air,  which  did  not 
entirely  conceal  some  secret  anxiety,  — 

"  Then  you  have  made  a  clean  breast  of  it,  and 
she  forgives  all  peccadilloes  ? " 

"  I  have  not  told  her ;  and  I  will  not,  till  I  have 
atoned  for  the  meanest  of  them.  May  I  ask  you 
to  be  silent  also  for  her  sake  ? " 

"You  are  wise."  Then,  as  if  glad  to  throw 
off  all  doubt  and  care,  he  asked,  in  a  pleasantly 
suggestive  tone,  — 

"  The  wedding  will  soon  follow  the  wooing,  I 
imagine,  for  you  make  short  work  of  matters, 
when  you  do  begin  ? " 

"  You  told  me  to  execute  your  wish  in  my 
own  way.     I  will  do  so,  without  troubling  Mrs. 
Surry,  or  asking  you  to  give  us  your  blessing, 
since  playing  the  father  to  orphans  is  distasteful  . 
to  you." 

Very  calm  and  cool  was  Canaris  now ;  but  a 
sense  of  wrong  burned  at  his  heart,  marring  the 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         99 

satisfaction  he  felt  in  having  done  what  he  be 
lieved  to  be  a  just  and  generous  act. 

"  It  is  ;  but  I  will  assume  the  character  long 
enough  to  suggest,  nay,  insist,  that  however  hasty 
and  informal  this  marriage  may  be,  you  will  take 
care  that  it  is  one." 

"  Do  you  mean  that  for  a  hint  or  a  warning, 
sir  ?  I  have  lied  and  stolen  by  your  advice ;  shall 
I  also  betray?"  asked  Canaris,  white  with  indig 
nation,  and  something  like  fear ;  for  he  began  to 
feel  that  whatever  this  man  commanded  he  must 
do,  spite  of  himself. 

"  Strong  language,  Felix.  .  But  I  forgive  it, 
since  I  am  sincere  in  wishing  well  to  Gladys. 
Marry  when  and  how  you  please,  only  do  not 
anno'y  me  with  another  spasm  of  virtue.  It  is  a 
waste  of  time,  you  see,  for  the  thing  is  done." 

"  Not  yet ;  but  soon  will  be,  for  you  are  fast 
curing  me  of  a  too  tender  conscience." 

"  Faster  than  you  think,  my  Faust ;  since  to 
marry  without  love  betrays  as  surely  as  to  love 
without  marriage,"  said  Helwyze  to  himself,  ex 
pressing  in  words  the  thought  that  had  restrained 
the  younger,  better  man. 

A  week  later,  Canaris  came  in  with  Gladys 
on  his  arm,  looking  very  like  a  bride  in  a  little 
bonnet  tied  with  white,  and  a  great  nosegay 


100       A   MODERN  MEPH1STOPHELES. 

of  all  the  sweet,  pale  flowers  blooming  in  the 

garden  that  first  Sunday  of  September. 
"  Good-bye,  sir  ;  we  are  going." 
"  Where,  may  I  ask  ?     To  church  ? " 
"  We  have  been  ; "  and  Canaris  touched  the 

ungloved  hand  that  lay  upon  his  arm,  showing 

the  first  ring  it  had  ever  worn. 

"  Ah  !   then  I   can  only   say,   Heaven  bless 

you,  Gladys ;  a  happy  honeymoon,  Felix,  and 

welcome  home  when — you  are  tired  of  each 

other." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       IOI 


VIII. 

"  TTOME  at  last,  thank  Heaven  ! "  exclaimed 
Canaris,  as  the  door  opened,  letting 
forth  a  stream  of  light  and  warmth  into  the 
chilly  gloom  of  the  October  night.  Gladys  made 
no  answer  but  an  upward  look,  which  seemed  to 
utter  the  tender  welcome  he  had  forgotten  to 
give ;  and,  nestling  her  hand  in  his,  let  him  lead 
her  through  the  bright  hall,  up  the  wide  stair 
way  to  her  own  domain. 

"As  we  return  a  little  before  our  time,  we 
must  not  expect  a  jubilee.  Look  about  you, 
love,  and  rest.  I  will  send  Mrs.  Bland  pres 
ently,  and  tell  Helwyze  we  are  come." 

He  hurried  away,  showing  no  sign  of  the 
ennui  which  had  fitfully  betrayed  itself  during  the 
last  week.  Gladys  watched  him  wistfully,  then 
turned  to  see  what  home  was  like,  with  eyes 
that  brightened  beautifully  as  they  took  in  the 
varied  charms  of  the  luxurious  apartments  pre 
pared  for  her.  The  newly  kindled  light  filled 
the  room  with  a  dusky  splendor;  for  deepest 


102       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

crimson  glowed  everywhere,  making  her  feel  as 
if  she  stood  in  the  heart  of  a  great  rose  whose 
silken  petals  curtained  her  round  with  a  color, 
warmth,  and  fragrance  which  would  render  sleep 
a  "rapture  of  repose."  Womanlike,  she  enjoyed 
every  dainty  device  and  sumptuous  detail ;  yet 
the  smile  of  pleasure  was  followed  by  a  faint 
sigh,  as  if  the  new  magnificence  oppressed  her, 
or  something  much  desired  had  been  forgotten. 

Stepping  carefully,  like  one  who  had  no  right 
there,  she  passed  on  to  a  charming  drawing- 
room,  evidently  intended  for  but  two  occupants, 
and  all  the  pleasanter  to  her  for  that  suggestion. 
Pausing  on  the  threshold  of  another  door,  she 
peeped  in,  expecting  to  find  one  of  those  scented, 
satin  boudoirs,  which  are  fitter  for  the  coquet 
ries  of  a  Parisian  belle,  than  for  a  young  wife  to 
hope  and  dream  and  pray  in. 

But  there  was  no  splendor  here ;  and,  with  a 
cry  of  glad  surprise,  its  new  owner  took  posses 
sion,  wondering  what  gentle  magic  had  guessed 
and  gathered  here  the  simple  treasures  she 
best  loved.  White  everywhere,  except  the  pale 
green  of  the  softly  tinted  walls,  and  the  mossy 
carpet  strewn  with  mimic  snowdrops.  A  sheaf 
of  lilies  in  a  silver  vase  stood  on  the  low  chim 
ney-piece  above  the  hearth,  where  a  hospitable 


A    MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       103 

fire  lay  ready  to  kindle  at  a  touch  ;  and  this 
was  the  only  sign  of  luxury  the  room  displayed. 
Quaint  furniture,  with  no  ornament  except  its 
own  grace  or  usefulness,  gave  the  place  a  home 
like  air ;  and  chintz  hangings,  fresh  and  delicate  as 
green  leaves  scattered  upon  snow  could  make 
them,  seemed  to  shut  out  the  world,  securing 
the  sweet  privacy  a  happy  woman  loves. 

Gladys  felt  this  instantly,  and,  lifting  her  hand 
to  draw  the  pretty  draperies  yet  closer,  discov 
ered  a  new  surprise,  which  touched  her  to  the 
heart.  Instead  of  looking  out  into  the  darkness 
of  the  autumn  night,  she  found  a  little  woodland 
nook  imprisoned  between  the  glass-door  and  the 
deep  window  beyond.  A  veritable  bit  of  the 
forest,  with  slender  ferns  nodding  in  their  sleep, 
hardy  vines  climbing  up  a  lichened  stump  to 
show  their  scarlet  berries,  pine-needles  pricking 
through  the  moss,  rough  arbutus  leaves  hiding 
coyly  till  spring  should  freshen  their  russet 
edges,  acorns  looking  as  if  just  dropped  by 
some  busy  squirrel,  and  all  manner  of  humble 
weeds,  growing  here  as  happily  as  when  they 
carpeted  the  wood  for  any  careless  foot  to  tread 
upon. 

These  dear  familiar  things  were  as  grateful 
to  Gladys  as  the  sight  of  friendly  faces  ;  and, 


104       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

throwing  wide  the  doors,  she  knelt  down  to 
breathe  with  childish  eagerness  the  damp,  fresh 
odors  that  came  out  to  meet  her. 

"  How  sweet  of  him  to  make  such  a  lovely  nest 
for  me,  and  then  slip  away  before  I  could  thank 
him,"  thought  the  tender-hearted  creature,  with 
tears  in  the  eyes  that  dwelt  delightedly  upon  the 
tremulous  maiden-hair  bending  to  her  touch, 
and  the  sturdy  grasses  waking  up  in  this  new 
summer. 

A  sound  of  opening  doors  dispelled  her  rev 
erie  ;  and  with  girlish  trepidation  she  hastened 
to  smooth  the  waves  of  her  bright  hair,  assume 
the  one  pretty  dress  she  would  accept  from 
Olivia,  and  clasp  the  bridal  pearls  about  her 
neck  ;  then  hastened  down  before  the  somewhat 
dreaded  Mrs.  Bland  appeared. 

It  pleased  her  to  go  wandering  alone  through 
the  great  house,  warmed  and  lighted  every 
where  ;  for  Helwyze  made  this  his  world,  and 
gathered  about  him  every  luxury  which  taste, 
caprice,  or  necessity  demanded.  A  marvellously 
beautiful  and  varied  home  it  seemed  to  simple 
Gladys,  as  she  passed  from  picture-gallery  to 
music-room,  eyed  with  artless  wonder  the  sub 
dued  magnificence  of  the  salon,  or  paused  en 
chanted  in  a  conservatory  whose  crystal  walls 
enclosed  a  fairyland  of  bloom  and  verdure. 


A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         105 

Here  and  there  she  came  upon  some  charac 
teristic  whim  or  arrangement,  which  made  her 
smile  with  amusement,  or  sigh  with  pity,  re 
membering  the  recluse  who  tried  to  cheer  his 
solitude  by  these  devices.  One  recess  held  a 
single  picture  glowing  with  the  warm  splendor 
of  the  East.  A  divan,  a  Persian  rug,  an  amber- 
mouthed  nargilek,  and  a  Turkish  coffee  service, 
all  gold  and  scarlet,  completed  the  illusion.  In 
another  shadowy  nook  tinkled  a  little  fountain 
guarded  by  one  white-limbed  nymph,  who  seemed 
to  watch  with  placid  interest  the  curious  sea- 
creatures  peopling  the  basin  below.  The  third 
showed  a  study-chair,  a  shaded  lamp,  and  cer 
tain  favorite  books,  left  open,  as  if  to  be  taken 
up  again  when  the  mood  returned.  In  one 
of  these  places  Gladys  lingered  with  fresh  com 
passion  stirring  at  her  heart,  though  it  looked 
the  least  inviting  of  them  all.  Behind  the  cur 
tains  of  a  window  looking  out  upon  the  broad 
street  on  which  the  mansion  faced  stood  a 
single  chair,  and  nothing  more. 

"  He  shall  not  be  so  lonely  now,  if  I  can  inter 
est  or  amuse  him,"  thought  Gladys,  as  she  looked 
at  the  worn  spot  in  the  carpet,  the  crumpled 
cushion  on  the  window-ledge;  mute  witnesses 
that  Helwyze  felt  drawn  towards  his  kin,  and 
5* 


106      A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

found  some  solace  in  watching  the  activity  he 
could  no  longer  share. 

Knowing  that  she  should  find  him  in  the 
library,  where  most  of  his  time  was  spent,  she 
soon  wended  her  way  thither.  The  door  stood 
hospitably  open  ;  and,  as  she  approached,  she 
saw  the  two  men  standing  together,  marked,  as 
never  before,  the  sharp  contrast  between  them, 
and  felt  a  glow  of  wifely  pride  in  the  young  hus 
band  whom  she  was  learning  to  love  with  all  the 
ardor  of  a  pure  and  tender  soul. 

Canaris  was  talking  eagerly,  as  he  turned  the 
leaves  of  a  thin  manuscript  which  lay  between 
them.  Helwyze  listened,  with  his  eyes  fixed  on 
the  speaker  so  intently  that  it  startled  the  new 
comer,  when,  without  a  sound  to  warn  him  of  her 
approach,  he  turned  suddenly  upon  her  with  the 
smile  which  dazzled  without  warming  those  on 
whom  it  was  shed. 

"  I  have  been  chiding  this  capricious  fellow  for 
the  haste  which  spoils  the  welcome  I  hoped  to 
give  you.  But  I  pardon  him,  since  he  brings  the 
sunshine  with  him,"  he  said,  going  to  meet  her, 
with  genuine  pleasure  in  his  face. 

"  I  could  not  have  a  kinder  welcome,  sir.  I 
was  glad  to  come ;  Felix  feared  you  might  be 
needing  him." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       IO? 

"  So  duty  brought  him  back  a  week  too  soon  ? 
A  poet's  honeymoon  should  be  a  long  one ;  I 
regret  to  be  the  cause  of  its  abridgment." 

Something  in  the  satirical  glimmer  of  his  eye 
made  Gladys  glance  at  her  husband,  who  spoke 
out  frankly,  — 

"There  were  other  reasons.  Gladys  hates  a 
crowd,  and  so  do  I.  Bad  weather  made  it  im 
possible  to  be  romantic,  so  we  thought  it  best  to 
come  home  and  be  comfortable." 

"  I  trust  you  will  be  ;  but  I  have  little  to  offer, 
since  the  attractions  of  half  a  dozen  cities  could 
not  satisfy  you." 

"  Indeed,  we  should  be  most  ungrateful  if  we 
were  not  happy  here,"  cried  Gladys,  eagerly. 
"  Only  let  me  be  useful  as  well  as  happy,  else  I 
shall  not  deserve  this  lovely  home  you  give  us." 

"  She  is  anxious  to  begin  her  ministrations ; 
and  I  can  recommend  her,  for  she  is  quick  to 
learn  one's  ways,  patient  with  one's  whims,  fruit 
ful  in  charming  devices  for  amusement,  and 
the  best  of  comrades,"  said  Canaris,  drawing  her 
to  him  with  a  look  more  grateful  than  fond. 

"From  that  speech,  and  other  signs,  I  infer 
that  Felix  is  about  to  leave  me  to  your  tender 
mercies,  and  fall  to  work  upon  his  new  book ; 
since  it  seems  he  could  not  resist  making  poetry 


108       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

when  he  should  have  been  making  love.  Are 
you  not  jealous  of  the  rival  who  steals  him  from 
you,  even  before  the  honeymoon  has  set  ? "  asked 
Helwyze,  touching  the  little  manuscript  before 
him. 

"  Not  if  she  makes  him  great,  and  I  can  make 
him  happy,"  answered  Gladys,  with  an  air  of 
perfect  content  and  trust. 

"  I  warn  you  that  the  Muse  is  a  jealous  mistress, 
and  will  often  rob  you  of  him.  Are  you  ready  to 
give  him  up,  and  resign  yourself  to  more  prosaic 
companionship  ? " 

"  Why  need  I  give  him  up  ?  He  says  I  do  not 
disturb  him  when  he  writes.  He  allowed  me  to 
sit  beside  him  while  he  made  these  lovely  songs, 
and  watch  them  grow.  He  even  let  me  help 
with  a  word  sometimes,  and  I  copied  the  verses 
fairly,  that  he  might  see  how  beautiful  they  were. 
Did  I  not,  Felix  ? " 

Gladys  spoke  with  such  innocent  pride,  and 
looked  up  in  her  husband's  face  so  gratefully, 
that  he  could  not  but  thank  her  with  a  caress,  as 
he  said,  laughing,  — 

"Ah,  that  was  only  play.  I've  had  my  holiday, 
and  now  I  must  work  at  a  task  in  which  no  one 
can  help  me.  Come  and  see  the  den  where  I 
shut  myself  up  when  the  divine  frenzy  seizes  me. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       IOQ 

Mr.  Helwyze  is  jailer,  and  only  lets  me  out  when 
I  have  done  my  stint." 

Full  of  some  pleasurable  excitement,  Canaris 
led  his  wife  across  the  room,  threw  open  a  door, 
and  bade  her  look  in.  Like  a  curious  child,  she 
peeped,  but  saw  only  a  small,  bare  cabinet  de 
travail. 

"  No  room,  you  see,  even  for  a  little  thing  like 
you.  None  dare  enter  here  without  my  keeper's 
leave.  Remember  that,  else  you  may  fare  like 
Bluebeard's  Fatima."  Canaris  spoke  gayly,  and 
turned  a  key  in  the  door  with  a  warning  click,  as 
he  glanced  over  his  shoulder  at  Helwyze.  Gladys 
did  not  see  the  look,  but  something  in  his  words 
seemed  to  disturb  her. 

"  I  do  not  like  this  place,  it  is  close  and  dark. 
I  think  I  shall  not  want  to  come,  even  if  you  are 
here  ; "  and,  waiting  for  no  reply,  she  stepped 
out  from  the  chill  of  the  unused  room,  as  if  glad 
to  escape. 

"  Mysterious  intuition  !  she  felt  that  we  had  a 
skeleton  in  here,  though  it  is  such  a  little  one," 
whispered  Canaris,  with  an  uneasy  laugh. 

"  Such  a  sensitive  plant  will  fare  ill  between 
us,  I  am  afraid,"  answered  Helwyze,  as  he  fol 
lowed  her,  leaving  the  other  to  open  drawers 
and  settle  papers,  like  one  eager  to  begin  his 
work. 


1 10      A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

Gladys  was  standing  in  the  full  glare  of  the 
fire,  as  if  its  cheerful  magic  could  exorcise  all 
dark  fancies.  Helwyze  eyed  the  white  figure  for 
an  instant,  feeling  that  his  lonely  hearthstone  had 
acquired  a  new  charm  ;  then  joined  her,  saying 
quietly,  — 

"This  is  the  place  where  Felix  and  I  have 
lived  together  for  nearly  two  years.  Do  you  like 
it  ? " 

"  More  than  I  can  tell.  It  does  not  seem 
strange  to  me,  for  he  has  often  described  it ;  and 
when  I  thought  of  coming  here,  I  was  more 
curious  to  see  this  room  than  any  other." 

"  It  will  be  all  the  pleasanter  henceforth  if 
Felix  can  spare  you  to  me  sometimes.  Come 
and  see  the  corner  I  have  prepared,  hoping  to 
tempt  you  here  when  he  shuts  us  out.  It  used 
to  be  his ;  so  you  will  like  it,  I  think."  Helwyze 
paced  slowly  down  the  long  room,  Gladys  beside 
him,  saying,  as  she  looked  about  her  hungrily,  — 

"  So  many  books !  and  doubtless  you  have  read 
them  all  ? " 

"  Not  quite  ;  but  you  may,  if  you  will.  See, 
here  is  your  place  ;  come  often,  and  be  sure  you 
never  will  disturb  me." 

But  one  book  lay  on  the  little  table,  and  its 
white  cover,  silver  lettered,  shone  against  the 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        1 1 1 

dark  cloth  so  invitingly  that  Gladys  took  it  up, 
glowing  with  pleasure  as  she  read  her  own  name 
upon  the  volume  she  knew  and  loved  so  well. 

"  For  me  ?  you  knew  that  nothing  else  would 
be  so  beautiful  and  precious.  Sir,  why  are  you 
so  generous  ? " 

"  It  amuses  me  to  do  these  little  things,  and 
you  must  humor  me,  as  Felix  does.  You  shall 
pay  for  them  in  your  own  coin,  so  there  need  be 
no  sense  of  obligation.  Rest  satisfied  I  shall 
get  the  best  of  the  bargain."  Before  she  could 
reply  a  servant  appeared,  announced  dinner,  and 
vanished  as  noiselessly  as  he  came. 

"This  has  been  a  bachelor  establishment  so 
long  that  we  are  grown  careless.  If  you  will 
pardon  all  deficiencies  of  costume,  we  will  not 
delay  installing  Madame  Canaris  in  the  place 
she  does  us  the  honor  to  fill." 

"But  I  am  not  the  mistress,  sir.  Please 
change  nothing ;  my  place  at  home  was  very 
humble  ;  I  am  afraid  I  cannot  fill  the  new  one  as 
I  ought,"  stammered  Gladys,  somewhat  dismayed 
at  the  prospect  which  the  new  name  and  duty 
suggested. 

"  You  will  have  no  care,  except  of  us.  Mrs. 
Bland  keeps  the  machinery  running  smoothly, 
and  we  lead  a  very  quiet  life.  My  territory  ends 


112       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

at  that  door  ;  all  beyond  is  yours.  I  chiefly 
haunt  this  wing,  but  sometimes  roam  about 
below  stairs  a  little,  a  very  harmless  ghost,  so 
do  not  be  alarmed  if  you  should  meet  me." 

Helwyze  spoke  lightly,  and  tapped  at  the  door 
of  the  den  as  he  passed. 

"  Come  out,  slave  of  the  pen,  and  be  fed." 

Canaris  came,  wearing  a  preoccupied  air,  and 
sauntered  after  them,  as  Helwyze  led  the  new 
mistress  to  her  place,  shy  and  rosy,  but  resolved 
to  do  honor  to  her  husband  at  all  costs. 

Her  first  act,  however,  gave  them  both  a 
slight  shock  of  surprise  ;  for  the  instant  they 
were  seated,  Gladys  laid  her  hands  together, 
bent  her  head,  and  whispered  Grace,  as  if  obey 
ing  a  natural  impulse  to  ask  Heaven's  blessing 
on  the  first  bread  she  broke  in  her  new  home. 
The  effect  of  the  devoutly  simple  act  was  charac 
teristically  shown  by  the  three  observers.  The 
servant  paused,  with  an  uplifted  cover  in  his 
hand,  respectfully  astonished  ;  Canaris  looked 
intensely  annoyed ;  and  Helwyze  leaned  back 
with  the  suggestion  of  a  shrug,  as  he  glanced 
critically  from  the  dimpled  hands  to  the  nugget 
of  gold  that  shone  against  the  bended  neck.  The 
instant  she  looked  up,  the  man  whisked  off  the 
silver  cover  with  an  air  of  relief;  Canaris  fell 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       113 

upon  his  bread  like  a  hungry  boy,  and  Helwyze 
tranquilly  began  to  talk. 

"  Was  the  surprise  Felix  prepared  for  you  a 
satisfactory  one  ?  Olivia  and  I  took  pleasure  in 
obeying  his  directions." 

"  It  was  lovely  !  I  have  not  thanked  him  yet, 
but  I  shall.  You,  also,  sir,  in  some  better  way 
than  words.  What  made  you  think  of  it  ? "  she 
asked,  looking  at  Caharis  with  a  mute  request 
for  pardon  of  her  involuntary  offence. 

Glad  to  rush  into  speech,  Canaris  gave  at 
some  length  the  history  of  his  fancy  to  repro 
duce,  as  nearly  as  he  could,  the  little  room  at 
home,  which  she  had  described  to  him  with  re 
gretful  minuteness  ;  for  she  had  sold  every  thing 
to  pay  the  debts  which  were  the  sole  legacy  her 
father  left  her.  While  they  talked,  Helwyze, 
who  ate  little,  was  observing  both.  Gladys 
looked  more  girlish  than  ever,  in  spite  of  the 
mingled  dignity  and  anxiety  her  quiet  but  timid 
air  betrayed.  Canaris  seemed  in  high  spirits, 
talking  rapidly,  laughing  often,  and  glancing 
about  him  as  if  glad  to  be  again  where  nothing 
inharmonious  disturbed  his  taste  and  comfort. 
Not  till  dessert  was  on  the  table,  however,  did 
he  own,  in  words,  the  feeling  of  voluptuous 
satisfaction  which  was  enhanced  by  the  memory 


1 14       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

that  he  had  been  rash  enough  to  risk  the  loss 
of  all. 

"  It  is  not  so  very  terrible,  you  see,  Gladys. 
You  eat  and  drink  like  a  bird ;  but  I  know  you. 
enjoy  this  as  much  as  I  do,  after  those  detest 
able  hotels,"  he  said,  detecting  an  expression  of 
relief  in  his  young  wife's  face,  as  the  noiseless 
servant  quitted  the  room  for  the  last  time. 

"Indeed  I  do.  It  is  so' pleasant  to  have  all 
one's  senses  gratified  at  once,  arid  the  common 
duties  of  life  made  beautiful  and  easy,"  answered 
Gladys,  surveying  with  feminine  appreciation 
the  well-appointed  table  which  had  that  air  of 
accustomed  elegance  so  grateful  to  fastidious 
tastes. 

"  Ah,  ha !  this  little  ascetic  of  mine  will  be 
come  a  Sybarite  yet,  and  agree  with  me  that 
enjoyment  is  a  duty,"  exclaimed  Canaris,  look 
ing  very  like  a  young  Bacchus,  as  he  held  up  his 
wine  to  watch  its  rich  color,  and  inhale  its  bou 
quet  with  zest. 

"  The  more  delicate  the  senses,  the  more  deli 
cate  the  delight.  I  suspect  Madame  finds  her 
grapes  and  water  as  delicious  as  you  do  your 
olives  and  old  wine,"  said  Helwyze,  finding  a 
still  more  refined  satisfaction  than  either  in  the 
pretty  contrast  between  the  purple  grapes  and 


A    MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        11$ 

the  white  fingers  that  pulled  them  apart,  the 
softly  curling  lips  that  were  the  rosier  for  their 
temperate  draughts,  and  the  unspoiled  simplicity 
of  the  girl  sitting  there  in  pearls  and  shimmer 
ing  silk. 

"  When  one  has  known  poverty,  and  the  sad 
shifts  which  make  it  seem  mean,  as  well  as  hard, 
perhaps  one  does  unduly  value  these  things.  I 
hope  I  shall  not  ;  but  I  do  find  them  very  tempt 
ing,"  she  said,  thoughtfully  eying  the  new  scene 
in  which  she  found  herself. 

Helwyze  seemed  to  be  absently  listening  to 
the  musical  chime  of  silver  against  glass ;  but  he 
made  a  note  of  that  hope,  wondering  if  hardship 
had  given  her  more  of  its  austere  virtue  than  it 
had  her  husband. 

"  How  shall  you  resist  temptation  ? "  he  asked, 
curiously. 

"  I  shall  work.  This  is  dangerously  pleasant ; 
so  let  me  begin  at  once,  and  sing,  while  you  take 
your  coffee  in  the  drawing-room.  I  know  the 
way ;  come  when  you  will,  I  shall  be  ready ; " 
and  Gladys  rose  with  the  energetic  expression 
which  often  broke  through  her  native  gentle 
ness.  Canaris  held  the  door  for  her,  and  was 
about  to  resume  his  seat,  when  Helwyze  checked 
him  :  — 


Il6  s    A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  We  will  follow  at  once.  Was  I  not  right  in 
my  prediction  ? "  he  asked,  as  they  left  the  room 
together. 

"  That  we  should  soon  tire  of  each  other  ? 
You  were  wrong  in  that." 

"  I  meant  the  ease  with  which  you  would  soon 
learn  to  love." 

"  I  have  not  learned  — yet." 

"  Then  this  vivacity  is  a  cloak  for  the  pangs 
of  remorse,  is  it  ? "  and  Helwyze  laughed  in 
credulously. 

"  No  :  it  is  the  satisfaction  I  already  feel  in 
the  atonement  I  mean  to  make.  I  have  a  grand 
idea.  /,  too,  shall  work,  and  give  Gladys  reason 
to  be  proud  of  me,  if  nothing  more." 

Something  of  her  own  energy  was  in  his  mien, 
and  it  became  him.  But  Helwyze  quenched  the 
the  noble  ardor  by  saying,  coldly,  — 

"  I  see :  it  is  the  old  passion  under  a  new 
name.  May  your  virtuous  aspirations  be  blest !  " 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       1 1/ 


IX. 


TTELWYZE  was  right,  and  Canaris  found 
that  his  sudden  marriage  did  stimulate 
public  interest  wonderfully.  There  had  always 
been  something  mysterious  about  this  brilliant 
young  man  and  his  relations  with  his  patron ; 
who  was  as  silent  as  the  Sphinx  regarding  his 
past,  and  tantalizingly  enigmatical  about  his 
plans  and  purposes  for  the  future.  The  wildest 
speculations  were  indulged  in :  many  believed 
them  to  be  father  and  son ;  others  searched 
vainly  for  the  true  motive  of  this  charitable 
caprice  ;  and  every  one  waited  with  curiosity  to 
see  the  end  of  it.  All  of  which  much  amused 
Helwyze,  who  cared  nothing  for  the  world's  opin 
ion,  and  found  his  sense  of  humor  tickled  by  the 
ludicrous  idea  of  himself  in  the  new  rdle  of 
benefactor. 

The  romance  seemed  quite  complete  when  it 
was  known  that  the  young  poet  had  brought 
home  a  wife  whose  talent,  vouth.  and  isolation 


Il8       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

seemed  to  render  her  peculiarly  fitted  for  his 
mate. 

Though  love  was  lacking,  vanity  was  strong  in 
Canaris,  and  this  was  gratified  by  the  commen 
dation  bestowed  on  the  new  ornament  he  wore  ; 
for  as  such  simple  Gladys  was  considered,  and 
shone  with  reflected  lustre,  her  finer  gifts  and 
graces  quite  eclipsed  by  his  more  conspicuous 
and  self-asserting  ones. 

With  unquestioning  docility  she  gave  herself 
into  his  hands,  following  where  he  led  her,  obey 
ing  his  lightest  wish,  and  loving  him  with  a 
devotion  which  kept  alive  regretful  tenderness 
when  it  should  have  cherished  a  loyal  love.  He 
gladly  took  her  into  all  the  gayety  which  for  a 
time  surrounded  them,  and  she  enjoyed  it  with  a 
girl's  fresh  delight.  He  showed  her  wise  and 
witty  people  whom  she  admired  or  loved  ;  and  she 
looked  and  listened  with  an  enthusiast's  wonder. 
He  gave  her  all  he  had  to  give,  novelty  and 
pleasure  ;  though  the  one  had  lost  its  gloss  for 
him,  and  too  much  of  the  other  he  was  forced  to 
accept  from  Helwyze's  hands.  But  through  all 
the  experiences  that  now  rapidly  befell  her, 
Gladys  was  still  herself ;  innocently  happy, 
stanchly  true,  characteristically  independent, 
a  mountain  stream,  keeping  its  waters  pure  and 


A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        1 19 

bright,  though  mingled  with  the  swift  and  turbid 
river  which  was  hurrying  it  toward  the  sea. 

Curiosity  being  satisfied,  society  soon  found 
some  fresher  novelty  to  absorb  it.  Women  still 
admired  Canaris,  but  marriage  lessened  his  at 
tractions  for  them  ;  men  still  thought  him  full 
of  promise,  but  were  fast  forgetting  the  first 
successful  effort  which  had  won  their  applause  ; 
and  the  young  lion  found  that  he  must  roar  loud 
and  often,  if  he  would  not  be  neglected.  Shut 
ting  himself  into  his  cell,  he  worked  with  hope 
ful  energy  for  several  months,  often  coming  out 
weary,  but  excited,  with  the  joyful  labor  of  crea 
tion.  At  such  times  there  was  no  prose  any 
where  ;  for  heaven  and  earth  were  glorified  by 
the  light  of  that  inner  world,  where  imagination 
reigns,  and  all  things  are  divine.  Then  he  would 
be  in  the  gayest  spirits,  and  carry  Gladys  off 
to  some  hour  of  pleasant  relaxation  at  theatre, 
opera,  or  ball,  where  flattery  refreshed  or  emula 
tion  inspired  him  ;  and  next  day  would  return  to 
his  task  with  redoubled  vigor. 

At  other  times  his  fickle  mistress  deserted 
him;  thought  would  not  soar,  language  would 
not  sing,  poetry  fled,  and  life  was  unutterably 
"flat,  stale,  and  unprofitable."  Then  it  was 
Gladys,  who  took  possession  of  him  ;  lured  him 


120       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

out  for  a  brisk  walk,  or  a  long  drive  into  a 
wholesomer  world  than  that  into  which  he  took 
her ;  sung  weary  brain  to  sleep  with  the  sweet 
est  lullabies  of  brother  bards ;  or  made  him 
merry  by  the  display  of  a  pretty  wit,  which 
none  but  he  knew  she  could  exert.  With  wifely 
patience  and  womanly  tact  she  managed  her 
wayward  but  beloved  lord,  till  despondency 
yielded  to  her  skill,  and  the  buoyant  spirit  of 
hope  took  him  by  the  hand,  and  led  him  to  his 
work  again. 

In  the  intervals  between  these  fits  of  intel 
lectual  intoxication  and  succeeding  depression, 
Gladys  devoted  herself  to  Helwyze  with  a  faith 
fulness  which  surprised  him  and  satisfied  her ; 
for,  as  she  said,  her  "  bread  tasted  bitter  if  she 
did  not  earn  it."  He  had  expected  to  be  amused, 
perhaps  interested,  but  not  so  charmed,  by  this 
girl,  who  possessed  only  a  single  talent,  a  modest 
share  of  beauty,  and 'a  mind"  as  untrained  as  a 
beautiful  but  neglected  garden.  This  last  was 
the  real  attraction  ;  for,  finding  her  hungry  for 
knowledge,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  test  her  taste 
and  try  her  mental  mettle,  by  allowing  her  free 
range  of  a  large  and  varied  library.  Though 
not  a  scholar,  in  the  learned  sense  of  the  word, 
he  had  the  eager,  sceptical  nature  which  inter- 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       121 

rogates  all  things,  yet  believes  only  in  itself. 
This  had  kept  him  roaming  solitarily  up  and 
down  the  earth  for  years,  observing  men  and 
manners  ;  now  it  drove  him  to  books  ;  and,  as 
suffering  and  seclusion  wrought  upon  body  and 
brain,  his  choice  of  mute  companions  changed 
from  the  higher,  healthier  class  to  those  who,  like 
himself,  leaned  towards  the  darker,  sadder  side 
of  human  nature.  Lawless  here,  as  elsewhere, 
he  let  his  mind  wander  at  will,  as  once  he  had 
let  his  heart,  learning  too  late  that  both  are 
sacred  gifts,  and  cannot  safely  be  tampered 
with. 

All  was  so  fresh  and  wonderful  to  Gladys, 
that  her  society  grew  very  attractive  to  him  ; 
and  pleasant  as  it  was  to  have  her  wait  upon 
him  with  quiet  zeal,  or  watch  her  busied  in  her 
own  corner,  studying,  or  sewing  with  the  little 
basket  beside  her  which  gave  such  a  homelike 
air,  it  was  still  pleasanter  to  have  her  sit  and 
read  to  him,  while  he  watched  this  face,  so  in 
telligent,  yet  so  soft ;  studied  this  mind,  at  once 
sensitive  and  sagacious,  this  nature,  both  serious 
and  ardent.  It  gave  a  curious  charm  to  his  old 
favorites  when  she  read  them  ;  and  many  hours 
he  listened  contentedly  to  the  voice  whose  youth 
made  Montaigne's  worldly  wisdom  seem  the 
6 


122       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

shrewder  ;  whose  music  gave  a  certain  sweetness 
to  Voltaire's  bitter  wit  or  Carlyle's  rough  wisdom  ; 
whose  pitying  wonder  added  pathos  to  the  melan 
choly  brilliancy  of  Heine  and  De  Quincy.  Equally 
fascinating  to  him,  and  far  more  dangerous  to 
her,  were  George  Sand's  passionate  romances, 
Goethe's  dramatic  novels,  Hugo  and  Sue's  lurid 
word-pictures  of  suffering  and  sin ;  the  haunted 
world  of  Shakespeare  and  Dante,  the  poetry  of 
Byron,  Browning,  and  Poe. 

Rich  food  and  strong  wine  for  a  girl  of  eigh 
teen  ;  and  Gladys  soon  felt  the  effects  of  such 
a  diet,  though  it  was  hard  to  resist  when  duty 
seconded  inclination,  and  ignorance  hid  the 
peril.  She  often  paused  to  question  with  eager 
lips,  to  wipe  wet  eyes,  to  protest  with  indignant 
warmth,  or  to  shiver  with  the  pleasurable  pain 
of  a  child  who  longs,  yet  dreads,  to  hear  an  ex 
citing  story  to  the  end.  Helwyze  answered 
willingly,  if  not  always  wisely  ;  enjoyed  the  rapid 
unfolding  of  the  woman,  and  would  not  deny 
himself  any  indulgence  of  this  new  whim, 
though  conscious  that  the  snow-drop,  trans 
planted  suddenly  from  the  free  fresh  spring-time, 
could  not  live  in  this  close  air  without  suffering. 

This  was  the  double  life  Gladys  now  began  to 
lead.  Heart  and  mind  were  divided  between 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       123 

the  two,  who  soon  absorbed  every  feeling, 
every  thought.  To  the  younger  man  she  was 
a  teacher,  to  the  elder  a  pupil ;  in  the  one  world 
she  ruled,  in  the  other  served ;  unconsciously 
Canaris  stirred  emotion  to  its  depths,  con 
sciously  Helwyze  stimulated  intellect  to  its 
heights  ;  while  the  soul  of  the  woman,  receiv 
ing  no  food  from  either,  seemed  to  sit  apart  in 
the  wilderness  of  its  new  experience,  tempted 
by  evil  as  well  as  sustained  by  good  spirits,  who 
guard  their  own. 

One  evening  this  divided  mastery  was  es 
pecially  felt  by  Helwyze,  who  watched  the 
young  man's  influence  over  his  wife  with  a 
mixture  of  interest  and  something  like  jealousy,  as 
it  was  evidently  fast  becoming  stronger  than  his 
own.  Sitting  in  his  usual  place,  he  saw  Gladys 
flit  about  the  room,  brushing  up  the  hearth, 
brightening  the  lamps,  and  putting  by  the  fin 
ished  books,  as  if  the  day's  duties  were  all  done, 
the  evening's  rest  and  pleasure  honestly  earned, 
eagerly  waited  for.  He  well  knew  that  this 
pleasure  consisted  in  carrying  Canaris  away  to 
her  own  domain  ;  or,  if  that  were  impossible,  she 
would  sit  silently  looking  at  him  while  he  read 
or  talked  in  his  fitful  fashion  on  any  subject  his 
master  chose  to  introduce. 


124       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

The  desire  to  make  her  forget  the  husband 
whose  neglect  would  have  sorely  grieved  her  if 
his  genius  had  not  been  his  excuse  in  her  eyes 
for  many  faults,  possessed  Helwyze  that  night ; 
and  he  amused  himself  by  the  effort,  becoming 
more  intent  with  each  failure. 

As  the  accustomed  hour  drew  near,  Gladys 
took  her  place  on  the  footstool  before  the  chair 
set  ready  for  Felix,  and  fell  a  musing,  with  her 
eyes  on  the  newly  replenished  fire.  Above,  the 
unignited  fuel  lay  black  and  rough,  with  here 
and  there  a  deep  rift  opening  to  the  red  core 
beneath  ;  while  to  and  fro  danced  many  colored 
flames,  as  if  bent  on  some  eager  quest.  Many 
flashed  up  the  chimney,  and  were  gone ;  others 
died  solitarily  in  dark  corners,  where  no  heat  fed 
them  ;  and  some  vanished  down  the  chasms,  to  the 
fiery  world  below.  One  golden  spire,  tremulous 
and  translucent,  burned  with  a  brilliance  which 
attracted  the  eye  ;  and,  when  a  wandering  violet 
flame  joined  it,  Gladys  followed  their  motions 
with  interest,  seeing  in  them  images  of  Felix 
and  herself,  for  childish  fancy  and  womanly  in 
sight  met  and  mingled  in  all  she  thought  and 
felt. 

Forgetting  that  she  was  not  alone,  she  leaned 
forward,  to  watch  what  became  of  them,  as  the 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       125  . 

wedded  flames  flickered  here  and  there,  now 
violet,  now  yellow.  But  the  brighter  always 
seemed  the  stronger,  and  the  sad-colored  one  to 
grow  more  and  more  golden,  as  if  yielding  to  its 
sunshiny  mate. 

"  I  hope  they  will  fly  up  together,  out  into  the 
wide,  starry  sky,  which  is  their  eternity,  perhaps," 
she  thought,  smiling  at  her  own  eagerness. 

But  no  ;  the  golden  flame  flew  up,  and  left  the 
other  to  take  on  many  shapes  and  colors,  as  it 
wandered  here  and  there,  till,  just  as  it  glowed 
with  a  splendid  crimson,  Gladys  was  forced  to 
hide  her  dazzled  eyes  and  look  no  more.  Turn 
ing  her  flushed  face  away,  she  found  Helwyze 
watching  her  as  intently  as  she  had  watched  the 
fire,  and,  reminded  of  his  presence,  she  glanced 
toward  the  empty  chair  with  an  impatient  sigh 
for  Felix. 

"You  are  tired,"  he  said,  answering  the  sigh. 
"  Mrs.  Bland  told  me  what  a  notable  housewife 
you  are,  and  how  you  helped  her  set  the  upper 
regions  to  rights  to-day.  I  fear  you  did  too  much." 

"  Oh,  no,  I  enjoyed  it  heartily.  I  asked  for 
something  to  do,  and  she  allowed  me  to  examine 
and  refold  the  treasures  you  keep  in  the  great 
carved  wardrobe,  lest  moths  or  damp  or  dust  had 
hurt  the  rich  stuffs,  curious  coins,  and  lovely 


126       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

ornaments  stored  there.  I  never  saw  so  many 
pretty  things  before,"  she  answered,  betraying, 
by  her  sudden  animation,  the  love  of  "pretty 
things,"  which  is  one  of  the  strongest  of  femi 
nine  foibles. 

He  smiled,  well  pleased. 

"  Olivia  calls  that  quaint  press  from  Brittany 
my  bazaar,  for  there  I  have  collected  the  spoils 
of  my  early  wanderings  ;  and  when  I  want  a 
cadeau  for  a  fair  friend,  I  find  it  without  trouble. 
I  saw  in  what  exquisite  order  you  left  my  shelves, 
and,  as  you  were  not  with  me  to  choose,  I 
brought  away  several  trifles,  more  curious  than 
costly,  hoping  to  find  a  thank-offering  among 
them." 

As  he  spoke,  he  opened  one  of  the  deep  draw 
ers  in  the  writing-table,  as  if  to  produce  some 
gift.  But  Gladys  said,  hastily, — 

"  You  are  very  kind,  sir  ;  but  these  fine  things 
are  altogether  too  grand  for  me.  The  pleasure 
of  looking  at  and  touching  them  is  reward  enough ; 
unless  you  will  tell  me  about  them  :  it  must  be 
interesting  to  know  what  places  they  came  from." 

Feeling  in  the  mood  for  it,  Helwyze  described  to 
her  an  Eastern  bazaar,  so  graphically  that  she  soon 
forgot  Felix,  and  sat  looking  up  as  if  she  actu 
ally  saw  and  enjoyed  the  splendors  he  spoke  of. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       I2/ 

Lustrous  silks  sultanas  were  to  wear ;  misty 
muslins,  into  whose  embroidery  some  dark- 
skinned  woman's  life  was  wrought ;  cashmeres, 
many-hued  as  rainbows ;  odorous  woods  and 
spices,  that  filled  the  air  with  fragrance  never 
blown  from  Western  hills ;  amber,  like  drops  of 
frozen  sunshine  ;  fruits,  which  brought  visions  of 
vineyards,  olive  groves,  and  lovely  palms  drop 
ping  their  honeyed  clusters  by  desert  wells  ;  skins 
mooned  and  barred  with  black  upon  the  tawny 
velvet,  that  had  lain  in  jungles,  or  glided  with 
deathful  stealthiness  along  the  track  of  human 
feet ;  ivory  tusks  that  had  felled  Asiatic  trees, 
gored  fierce  enemies,  or  meekly  lifted  princes  to 
their  seats. 

These,  and  many  more,  he  painted  rapidly;  and, 
as  he  ended,  shook  out  of  its  folds  a  gauzy  fabric, 
starred  with  silver,  which  he  threw  over  her 
head,  pointing  to  the  mirror  set  in  the  door  of 
the  armoire  behind  her. 

"  See  if  that  is  not  too  pretty  to  refuse.  Felix 
would  surely  be  inspired  if  you  appeared  before 
him  shimmering  like  Suleika,  when  Hatem  says 
to  her,  — 

"  '  Here,  take  this,  with  the  pure  and  silver. streaking, 

And  wind  it,  Darling,  round  and  round  for  me  ; 
What  is  your  Highness  ?     Style  scarce  worth  the  speaking, 
When  thou  dost  look,  I  am  as  great  as  He.'  " 


128       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

Gladys  did  look,  and  saw  how  beautiful  it  made 
her;  but,  though  she  did  not  understand  the 
words  he  quoted,  the  names  suggested  a  sultan 
and  his  slave,  and  she  did  not  like  either  the  idea 
or  the  expression  with  which  Helwyze  regarded 
her.  Throwing  off  the  gauzy  veil,  she  refolded 
and  put  it  by,  saying,  in  that  decided  little  way 
of  hers,  which  was  prettier  than  petulance,  — 

"  My  Hatem  does  not  need  that  sort  of  in 
spiration,  and  had  rather  see  his  Suleika  in  a 
plain  gown  of  his  choosing,  than  dressed  in  all 
the  splendors  of  the  East  by  any  other  hand." 

"  Come,  then,  we  must  find  some  better  souve 
nir  of  your  visit,  for  I  never  let  any  one  go  away 
empty-handed  ; "  with  that  he  dipped  again  into 
the  drawer,  and  held  up  a  pretty  bracelet,  ex 
plaining,  as  he  offered  it  with  unruffled  compos 
ure,  though  she  eyed  it  askance,  attracted,  yet 
reluctant,  a  charming  picture  of  doubt  and  de 
sire,  — 

"  Here  are  the  Nine  Muses,  cut  in  many-tinted 
lava.  See  how  well  the  workman  suited  the  color 
to  the  attribute  of  each  Muse.  Urania  is  blue  ; 
Erato,  this  soft  pink ;  Terpsichore,  violet ;  Eu 
terpe  and  Thalia,  black  and  white ;  and  the'others, 
these  fine  shades  of  yellow,  dun,  and  drab.  That 
pleases  you,  I  know  ;  so  let  me  put  it  on." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       I2Q 

It  did  please  her ;  and  she  stretched  out  her 
hand  to  accept  it,  gratified,  yet  conscious  all  the 
while  of  the  antagonistic  spirit  which  often  seized 
her  when  with  Helwyze.  He  put  on  the  brace 
let  with  a  satisfied  air ;  but  the  clasp  was  im 
perfect,  and,  at  the  first  turn  of  the  round  wrist, 
the  Nine  Muses  fell  to  the  ground. 

"  It  is  too  heavy.  I  am  not  made  to  wear  hand 
cuffs  of  any  sort,  you  see  :  they  will  not  stay  on, 
so  it  is  of  no  use  to  try ; "  and  Gladys  picked  up 
the  trinket  with  an  odd  sense  of  relief ;  though 
poor  Erato  was  cracked,  and  Thalia,  like  Field 
ing's  fair  Amelia,  had  a  broken  nose.  She  rose 
to  lay  it  on  the  table,  and,  as  she  turned  away, 
her  eye  went  to  the  clock,  as  if  reproaching  hen- 
self  for  that  brief  forgetfulness  of  her  husband. 
Half  amused,  half  annoyed,  and  bent  on  having 
his  own  way,  even  in  so  small  a  thing  as  this, 
Helwyze  drew  up  a  chair,  and,  setting  a  Japanese 
tray  upon  the  table,  said,  invitingly,  — 

"  Come  and  see  if  these  are  more  to  your  taste, 
since  fine  raiment  and  foolish  ornaments  fail  to 
tempt  you." 

"  Oh,  how  curious  and  beautiful ! "  cried  Gladys, 

looking  down  upon  a  collection  of  Hindoo  gods 

and  goddesses,  in  ebony  or  ivory  :  some  hideous, 

some  lovely,  all  carved  with  wonderful  delicacy, 

6*  T 


130       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

and  each  with  its  appropriate  symbol,  —  Vishnu, 
and  his  serpent ;  Brahma,  in  the  sacred  lotus ;  Siva, 
with  seven  faces  ;  Kreeshna,  the  destroyer,  with 
many  mouths  ;  Varoon,  god  of  the  ocean  ;  and 
Kama,  the  Indian  Cupid,  bearing  his  bow  of 
sugar-cane  strung  with  bees,  to  typify  love's  sting 
as  well  as  sweetness.  This  last  Gladys  examined 
longest,  and  kept  in  her  hand  as  if  it  charmed 
her ;  for  the  minute  face  of  the  youth  was  beauti 
ful,  the  slender  figure  full  of  grace,  and  the  ivory 
spotless. 

"  You  choose  him  for  your  idol  ?  and  well  you 
may,  for  he  looks  like  Felix.  Mine,  if  I  have  one, 
is  Siva,  goddess  of  Fate,  ugly,  but  powerful." 

"  I  will  have  no  idol,  —  not  even  Felix,  though 
I  sometimes  fear  I  may  make  one  of  him  before  I 
know  it ; "  and  Gladys  put  back  the  little  figure 
with  a  guilty  look,  as  she  confessed  the  great 
temptation  that  beset  her. 

"  You  are  wise :  idols  are  apt  to  have  feet  of 
clay,  and  tumble  down  in  spite  of  our  blind  adora 
tion.  Better  be  a  Buddhist,  and  have  no  god  but 
our  own  awakened  thought ;  '  the  highest  wis 
dom,'  as  it  is  called,"  said  Helwyze,  who  had 
lately  been  busy  with  the  Sakya  Muni,  and  re 
garded  all  religions  with  calm  impartiality. 

"  These  are  false  gods,  and  we  are  done  with 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       131 

them,  since  we  know  the  true  one,"  began  Gladys, 
understanding  him  ;  for  she  had  read  aloud  the 
life  of  Gautama  Buddha,  and  enjoyed  it  as  a 
legend ;  while  he  found  its  mystic  symbolism 
attractive,  and  nothing  repellent  in  its  idolatry. 
"  But  do  we  ?  How  can  you  prove  it  ?  " 
"  It  needs  no  proving ;  the  knowledge  of  it 
was  born  in  me,  grows  with  my  growth,  and  is 
the  life  of  my  life,"  cried  Gladys,  out  of  the  ful 
ness  of  that  natural  religion  which  requires  no 
revelation  except  such  as  experience  brings  to 
strengthen  and  purify  it. 

"All  are  not  so  easily  satisfied  as  you,"  he 
said,  in  the  sceptical  tone  which  always  tried  both 
her  patience  and  her  courage ;  for,  woman-like, 
she  could  feel  the  truth  of  things,  but  could  not 
reason  about  them.  He  saw  her  face  kindle, 
and  added,  rapidly,  having  a  mind  to  try  how 
firmly  planted  the  faith  of  the  pretty  Puritan  was  : 
"  Most  of  us  agree  that  Allah  exists  in  some 
form  or  other,  but  we  fall  out  about  who  is  the 
true  Prophet.  You  choose  Jesus  of  Nazareth 
for  yours  ;  I  rather  incline  to  this  Indian  Saint. 
They  are  not  unlike :  this  Prince  left  all  to  de 
vote  his  life  to  the  redemption  of  mankind,  suf 
fered  persecutions  and  temptations,  had  his 
disciples,  and  sent  out  the  first  apostles  of  whom 


132       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

we  hear ;  was  a  teacher,  with  his  parables,  mira 
cles,  and  belief  in  transmigration  or  immortality. 
His  doctrine  is  almost  the  same  as  the  other ; 
and  the  six  virtues  which  secure  Nirvana,  or 
Heaven,  are  charity,  purity,  patience,  courage, 
contemplation,  and  wisdom.  Come,  why  not 
take  him  for  a  model  ? " 

Gladys  listened  with  a  mixture  of  perplexity 
and  pain  in  her  face,  and  her  hand  went  invol 
untarily  to  the  little  cross  which  she  always 
wore ;  but,  though  her  eye  was  troubled,  her 
voice  was  steady,  as  she  answered,  earnestly, — 

"  Because  I  have  a  nobler  one.  My  Prince 
left  a  greater  throne  than  yours  to  serve  man 
kind;  suffered  and  resisted  more  terrible  perse 
cution  and  temptation ;  sent  out  wiser  apostles, 
taught  clearer  truth,  and  preached  an  immortal 
ity  for  all.  Yours  died  peacefully  in  the  arms 
of  his  friends,  mine  on  a  cross  ;  and,  though 
he  came  later,  he  has  saved  more  souls  than 
Buddha.  Sir,  I  know  little  about  those  older 
religions ;  I  am  not  wise  enough  even  to  argue 
about  my  own  :  I  can  only  believe  in  it,  love  it, 
and  hold  fast  to  it,  since  it  is  all  I  need." 

"  How  can  you  tell  till  you  try  others  ?  This, 
now,  is  a  fine  one,  if  we  are  not  too  bigoted  to 
look  into  it  fairly.  Wise  men,  who  have  done 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        133 

so,  say  that  no  faith  —  not  even  the  Christian  — 
has  exercised  so  powerful  an  influence  on  the 
diminution  of  crime  as  the  old,  simple  doctrine 
of  Sakya  Muni ;  and  this  is  the  only  great  his 
toric  religion  that  has  not  taken  the  sword  to 
put  down  its  enemies.  Can  you  say  as  much 
for  yours  ? " 

"  No  ;  but  it  is  worth  fighting  for,  and  I  would 
fight,  as  the  Maid  of  Orleans  did  for  France, 
for  this  is  my  country.  Can  you  say  of  your 
faith  that  it  sustained  you  in  sorrow,  made 
you  happy  in  loneliness,  saved  you  from  temp 
tation,  taught,  guided,  blessed  you  day  by  day 
with  unfailing  patience,  wisdom,  and  love  ?  I 
think  you  cannot  ;  then  why  try  to  take  mine 
away  till  you  can  give  me  a  better  ? " 

Seldom  was  Gladys  so  moved  as  now,  for  she 
felt  as  if  he  was  about  to  meddle  with  her  holy 
of  holies  ;  and,  without  stopping  to  reason,  she 
resisted  the  attempt,  sure  that  he  would  harm, 
not  help,  her,  since  neither  his  words  nor  ex 
ample  had  done  Felix  any  good. 

Helwyze  admired  her  all  the  more  for  her 
resistance,  and  thought  her  unusually  lovely,  as 
she  stood  there  flushed  and  fervent  with  her 
plea  for  the  faith  that  was  so  dear  to  her. 

"  Why,  indeed  !     You  would  make  an  excel- 


134       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

lent  martyr,  and  enjoy  it.  Pity  that  you  have 
no  chance  of  it,  and  so  of  being  canonized  as  a 
saint  afterward.  That  is  decidedly  your  line. 
Then,  you  won't  have  any  of  my  gods  ?  not  even 
this  one  ? "  he  asked,  holding  up  the  handsome 
Kama,  with  a  smile. 

"No,  not  even  that.  I  will  have  only  one 
God,  and  you  may  keep  your  idols  for  those  who 
believe  in  them.  My  faith  may  not  be  the  oldest, 
but  it  is  the  best,  if  one  may  judge  of  the 
two  religions  by  the  happiness  and  peace  they 
give,"  answered  Gladys,  taking  refuge  in  a  very 
womanly,  yet  most  convincing,  argument,  she 
thought,  as  she  pointed  to  the  mirror,  which  re 
flected  both  figures  in  its  clear  depths. 

Helwyze  looked,  and  though  without  an  atom 
of  vanity,  the  sight  could  not  but  be  trying,  the 
contrast  was  so  great  between  her  glad,  young 
face,  and  his,  so  melancholy  and  prematurely 
old. 

"  Satma,  Tama  —  Truth  and  Darkness,"  he 
muttered  to  himself ;  adding  aloud,  with  a 
vengeful  sort  of  satisfaction  in  shocking  her 
pious  nature, — 

"  But  /  have  no  religion  ;  so  that  defiant  little 
speech  is  quite  thrown  away,  my  friend." 

It  did  shock  her ;  for,  though  she  had  sus- 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        135 

pected  the  fact,  there  was  something  dreadful 
in  hearing  him  confess  it,  in  a  tone  which  proved 
his  sincerity. 

"  Mr.  Helwyze,  do  you  really  mean  that  you 
believe  in  nothing  invisible  and  divine  ?  no  life 
beyond  this  ?  no  God,  no  Christ  to  bless  and 
save?"  she  asked,  hardly  knowing  how  to  put 
the  question,  as  she  drew  back  dismayed,  but 
still  incredulous. 

"Yes." 

He  was  both  surprised,  and  rather  annoyed,  to 
find  that  it  cost  him  an  effort  to  give  even  that 
short  answer,  with  those  innocent  eyes  looking 
so  anxiously  up  at  him,  full  of  a  sad  wonder, 
then  dim  with  sudden  dew,  as  she  said  eagerly, 
forgetting  every  thing  but  a  great  compas 
sion,  — 

"  O  sir,  it  is  impossible  !  You  think  so  now ; 
but  when  you  love  and  trust  some  human  crea 
ture  more  than  yourself,  then  you  will  find  that 
you  do  believe  in  Him  who  gives  such  happi 
ness,  and  be  glad  to  own  it." 

"  Perhaps.  Meantime  you  will  not  make  me 
happy  by  letting  me  give  you  any  thing  ;  why  is 
it,  Gladys  ? " 

The  black  brows  were  knit,  and  he  looked 
impatient  with  himself  or  her.  She  saw  it,  and 
exclaimed  with  the  sweetest  penitence,  — 


136      A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Give  me  your  pardon  for  speaking  so  frankly. 
I  mean  no  disrespect ;  but  I  cannot  help  it  when 
you  say  such  things,  though  I  know  that  grati 
tude  should  keep  me  silent." 

"  I  like  it.  Do  not  take  yourself  to  task  for 
that,  or  trouble  about  me.  There  are  many 
roads,  and  sooner  or  later  we  shall  all  reach 
heaven,  I  suppose, — if  there  is  one,"  he  added, 
with  a  shrug,  which  spoiled  the  smile  that  went 
before. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        137 


X. 


/^LADYS  stood  silent  for  a  moment,  with 
^~^  her  eyes  fixed  on  the  little  figures,  long 
ing  for  wisdom  to  convince  this  man,  whom  she 
regarded  with  mingled  pity,  admiration  and  dis 
trust,  that  he  could  not  walk  by  his  own  light 
alone.  He  guessed  the  impulse  that  kept  her 
there,  longed  to  have  her  stay,  and  felt  a  sudden 
desire  to  reinstate  himself  in  her  good  opinion. 
That  wish,  or  the  hope  to  keep  her  by  some 
new  and  still  more  powerful  allurement,  seemed 
to  actuate  him  as  he  hastily  thrust  the  gods 
and  goddesses  out  of  sight,  and  opened  another 
drawer,  with  a  quick  glance  over  his  shoulder 
towards  that  inner  room. 

At  that  instant  the  clock  struck,  and  Gladys 
started,  saying,  in  a  tone  of  fond  despair,  — 
"  Where  is  Felix  ?     Will  he  never  come  ? " 
"  I  heard  him  raging  about  some  time  ago,  but 
perfect  silence  followed,  so  I  suspect  he  caught 
the  tormenting  word,  idea,  or  fancy,  and  is  busy 
pinning   it,"   answered   Helwyze,   shutting    the 


138       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

drawer  as  suddenly  as  he  opened  it,  with  a 
frown  which  Gladys  did  not  see;  for  she  had 
turned  away,  forgetting  him  and  his  salvation  in 
the  one  absorbing  interest  of  her  life. 

"  How  long  it  takes  to  write  a  poem !  Three 
whole  months,  for  he  began  in  September ;  and 
it  was  not  to  be  a  long  one,  he  said." 

"  He  means  this  to  be  a  masterpiece,  so  labors 
like  a  galley-slave,  and  can  find  no  rest  till  it  is 
done.  Good  practice,  but  to  little  purpose,  I  am 
afraid.  Poetry,  even  the  best,  is  not  profitable 
now-a-days,  I  am  told,"  added  Helwyze,  speaking 
with  a  sort  of  satisfaction  which  he  could  riot 
conceal. 

"  Who  cares  for  the  profit  ?  It  is  the  fame 
Felix  wants,  and  works  for,"  answered  Gladys, 
defending  the  absent  with  wifely  warmth. 

"True,  but  he  would  not  reject  the  fortune  if 
it  came.  He  is  not  one  of  the  ethereal  sort,  who 
can  live  on  glory  and  a  crust ;  his  gingerbread 
must  not  only  be  gilded,  but  solid  and  well-spiced 
beside.  You  adore  your  poet,  respect  also  the 
worldly  wisdom  of  your  spouse,  madame." 

When  Helwyze  sneered,  Gladys  was  silent ; 
so  now  she  mused  again,  leaning  on  the  high 
back  of  the  chair  which  she  longed  to  see  occu 
pied.  He  mused  also,  with  his  eyes  upon  the 


A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        139 

fire,  fingers  idly  tapping,  and  a  furtive  smile 
round  his  mouth,  as  if  some  purpose  was  taking 
shape  in  that  busy  brain  of  his.  Suddenly  he 
spoke,  in  a  tone  of  kindly  interest,  well  knowing 
where  her  thoughts  were,  and  anxious  to  end 
her  weary  waiting. 

"  Perhaps  the  poor,  fellow  has  fallen  asleep, 
tired  out  with  striving  after  immortality.  Go 
and  wake  him,  if  you  will,  for  it  is  time  he 
rested." 

"  May  I  ?  He  does  not  like  to  be  disturbed  ; 
but  I  fear  he  is  ill :  he  has  eaten  scarcely  any 
thing  for  days,  and  looks  so  pale  it  troubles  me. 
I  will  peep  first ;  and  if  he  is  busy,  creep  away 
without  a  word." 

Stepping  toward  the  one  forbidden,  yet  most 
fascinating  spot  in  all  the  house,  she  softly 
opened  the  door  and  looked  in.  Canaris  was 
there,  apparently  asleep,  as  Helwyze  thought ;  for 
his  head  lay  on  his  folded  arms  as  if  both  were 
weary.  Glancing  over  her  shoulder  with  a  nod 
and  a  smile,  Gladys  went  in,  anxious  to  wake 
and  comfort  him  ;  for  the  little  room  looked 
solitary,  dark,  and  cold,  with  dead  ashes  on  the 
hearth,  the  student  lamp  burning  dimly,  and  the 
food  she  had  brought  him  hours  ago  still  stand 
ing  untasted,  among  the  blotted  sheets  strewn 


140       A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

all  about.  At  her  first  touch  he  looked  up, 
and  she  was  frightened  by  the  expression  of  his 
face,  it  was  so  desperately  miserable. 

"  Dear,  what  is  it  ? "  she  asked,  quickly,  with 
her  arms  about  him,  as  if  defying  the  unknown 
trouble  to  reach  him  there. 

"  Disappointment,  —  nothing  else  ;  "  arid  he 
leaned  his  head  against  her,  grateful  for  sym 
pathy,  since  she  could  give  no  other  help. 

"You  mean  your  book,  which  does  not  satisfy 
you  even  yet  ?  "  she  said,  interpreting  the  signifi 
cance  of  the  weary,  yet  restless,  look  he  wore. 

"  It  never  will  !  I  have  toiled  and  tried,  with 
all  my  heart  and  soul  and  mind,  if  ever  a  man 
did  ;  but  I  cannot  do  it,  Gladys.  It  torments 
me,  and  I  cannot  escape  from  it ;  because,  though 
it  is  all  here  in  my  brain,  it  will  not  be  expressed 
in  words." 

"  Do  not  try  any  more  ;  rest  now,  and  by  and 
by,  perhaps,  it  will  be  easier.  You  have  worked 
too  hard,  and  are  worn  out  ;  forget  the  book,  and 
come  and  let  me  take  care  of  you.  It  breaks  my 
heart  to  see  you  so." 

"  I  was  doing  it  for  your  sake,  —  all  for  you  ; 
and  I  thought  this  time  it  would  be  very  good, 
since  my  purpose  was  a  just  and  generous  one. 
But  it  is  not,  and  I  hate  it !  " 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       14! 

With  a  passionate  gesture,  Canaris  hurled  a 
pile  of  manuscript  into  the  further  corner  of  the 
room,  and  pushed  his  wife  from  him,  as  if  she 
too  were  an  affliction  and  a  disappointment.  It 
grieved  her  bitterly ;  but  she  would  not  be  re 
pulsed  ;  and,  holding  fast  in  both  her  own  the 
hand  that  was  about  to  grasp  another  sheaf  of 
papers,  she  cried,  with  a  tone  of  tender  authority, 
which  both  controlled  and  touched  him,  — 

"  No,  no,  you  shall  not,  Felix  !  Put  me  away, 
but  do  not  spoil  the  book  ;  it  has  cost  us  both 
too  much." 

"  Not  you  ;  forgive  me,  it  is  myself  with 
whom  I  am  vexed  ; "  and  Canaris  penitently 
kissed  the  hands  that  held  his,  remembering 
that  she  could  not  know  the  true  cause  of  his 
effort  and  regret. 

"  I  shall  be  jealous,  if  I  find  that  I  have  given 
you  up  so  long  in  vain.  I  must  have  something 
to  repay  me  for  the  loss  of  your  society  all  this 
weary  time.  I  have  worked  to  fill  your  place : 
give  me  my  reward." 

"  Have  you  missed  me,  then  ?  I  thought  you 
happy  enough  with  Helwyze  and  the  books." 

"  Missed  you  !  happy  enough  !  O  Felix  !  you 
do  not  know  me,  if  you  think  I  can  be  happy 
without  you.  He  is  kind,  but  only  a  friend  ;  and 


142       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

all  the  books  in  the  wide  world  are  not  as  much 
to  me  as  the  one  you  treat  so  cruelly."  She 
clasped  tightly  the  hands  she  held,  and  looked 
into  his  face  with  eyes  full  of  unutterable  love. 
Such  tender  flattery  could  not  but  soothe,  such 
tearful  reproach  fail  to  soften,  a  far  prouder, 
harder  man  than  Canaris. 

"  What  reward  will  you  have  ? "  he  asked, 
making  an  effort  to  be  cheerful  for  her  sake. 

"  Eat,  drink,  and  rest ;  then  read  me .  every 
word  you  have  written.  I  am  no  critic  ;  but  I 
would  try  to  be  impartial :  love  makes  even  the 
ignorant  wise,  and  I  shall  see  the  beauty  which 
I  know  is  in  it." 

"  I  put  you  there,  or  tried  ;  so  truth  and  beauty 
should  be  in  it.  Some  time  you  shall  hear  it,  but 
not  now.  I  could  not  read  it  to-night,  perhaps 
never ;  it  is  such  a  poor,  pale  shadow  of  the 
thing  I  meant  it  to  be." 

"  Let  me  read  it,"  said  a  voice  behind  them  ; 
and  Helwyze  stood  upon  the  threshold,  wearing 
his  most  benignant  aspect. 

"You?"  ejaculated  Canaris;  while  Gladys 
shrunk  a  little,  as  if  the  proposition  did  not 
please  her. 

"  Why  not  ?  Young  poets  never  read  their 
own  verses  well ;  yet  what  could  be  more  sooth- 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        143 

ing  to  the  most  timorous  or  vain  than  to  hear 
them  read  by  an  admiring  and  sympathetic 
friend  ?  Come,  let  me  have  my  reward,  as  well 
as  Gladys  ;  "  and  Helwyze  laid  his  hand  upon  the 
unscattered  pile  of  manuscript. 

"  A  penance,  rather.  It  is  so  blurred,  so  rough, 
you  could  not  read  it;  then  the  fatigue,"  —  began 
Canaris,  pleased,  yet  reluctant  still. 

"  I  can  read  any  thing,  make  rough  places 
smooth,  and  not  tire,  for  I  have  a  great  interest 
in  this  story.  He  has  shown  me  some  of  it,  and 
it  is  good." 

Helwyze  spoke  to  Gladys,  and  his  last  words 
conquered  her  reluctance,  whetted  her  curiosity  ; 
he  looked  at  Canaris,  and  his  glance  inspired 
hope,  his  offer  tempted,  for  his  voice  could  make 
music  of  any  thing,  his  praise  would  be  both 
valuable  and  cheering. 

"  Let  him,  Felix,  since  he  is  so  kind,  I  so  im 
patient  that  I  do  not  want  to  wait ;  "  and  Gladys 
went  to  gather  up  the  leaves,  which  had  flown 
wildly  about  the  room. 

"  Leave  those,  I  will  sort  them  while  you  be 
gin.  The  first  part  is  all  here.  I  am  sick  of  it, 
and  so  will  you  be,  before  you  are  through.  Go, 
love,  or  I  may  revoke  permission,  and  make  the 
bonfire  yet" 


144       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

Canaris  laughed  as  he  waved  her  away;  and 
Gladys,  seeing  that  the  cloud  had  lifted,  willingly 
obeyed,  lingering  only  to  give  a  touch  to  the 
dainty  luncheon,  which  was  none  the  worse  for 
being  cold. 

"  Dear,  eat  and  drink,  then  my  feast  will  be 
the  sweeter." 

"  I  will ;  I'll  eat  and  drink  stupendously  when 
you  are  gone  ;  I  wish  you  bon  appetit"  he  said, 
filling  the  glass,  and  smiling  as  he  drank. 

Contented  now,  Gladys  hurried  away,  to  find 
Helwyze  already  seated  by  the  study-table,  with 
the  manuscript  laid  open  before  him.  He  looked 
up,  wearing  an  expression  of  such  pleasurable 
excitement,  that  it  augured  well  for  what  was 
coming,  and  she  slipped  into  the  chair  beside 
the  one  set  ready  for  Canaris  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  hearth,  still  hoping  he  would  come 
and  take  it.  Helwyze  began,  and  soon  she  for 
got  every  thing,  —  carried  away  by  the  smoothly 
flowing  current  of  the  story  which  he  read  so 
well.  A  metrical  romance,  such  as  many  a  lover 
might  have  imagined  in  the  first  inspiration  of 
the  great  passion,  but  few  could  have  painted 
with  such  skill.  A  very  human  story,  but  all 
the  truer  and  sweeter  for  that  fact.  The  men 
and  women  in  it  were  full  of  vitality  and  color ; 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       145 

their  faces  spoke,  hearts  beat,  words  glowed  ; 
and  they  seemed  to  live  before  the  listener's  eye, 
as  if  endowed  with  eloquent  flesh  and  blood. 

Gladys  forgot  their  creator  utterly,  but  Hel- 
wyze  did  not ;  and  even  while  reading  on  with 
steadily  increasing  effect,  glanced  now  and  then 
towards  that  inner  room,  where,  after  a  moment 
of  unnecessary  bustle,  perfect  silence  reigned. 
Presently  a  shadow  flickered  on  the  ceiling,  a 
shadow  bent  as  if  listening  eagerly,  though  not 
a  sound  betrayed  its  approach  as  it  seemed  to 
glide  and  vanish  behind  the  tall  screen  which 
stood  before  the  door.  Gladys  saw  nothing, 
her  face  being  intent  upon  the  reader,  her 
thoughts  absorbed  in  following  the  heart-history 
of  the  woman  in  whom  she  could  not  help  find 
ing  a  likeness  to  herself. 

Helwyze  saw  the  shadow,  however,  and 
laughed  inwardly,  as  if  to  see  the  singer  irre 
sistibly  drawn  by  his  own  music.  But  no  visi 
ble  smile  betrayed  this  knowledge ;  and  the  tale 
went  on  with  deepening  power  and  pathos,  till 
at  its  most  passionate  point  he  paused. 

"  Go  on ;  oh,  pray  go  on ! "  cried  Gladys, 
breathlessly. 

"  Are  you  not  tired  of  it  ? "  asked  Helwyze, 
with  a  keen  look. 

7  J 


146       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES, 

"  No,  no  !     You  are  ?     Then  let  me  read." 

"  Not  I ;  but  there  is  no  more  here.  Ask 
Felix  if  we  may  go  on." 

"  I  must !  I  will !  Where  is  he  ? "  and  Gladys 
hurried  round  the  screen,  to  find  Canaris  flung 
down  anyway  upon  a  seat,  looking  almost  as 
excited  as  herself. 

"  Ah, "  she  cried,  delightedly,  "  you  could  not 
keep  away !  You  know  that  it  is  good,  and 
you  are  glad  and  proud,  although  you  will  not 
own  it." 

"Am  I?  Are  you?"  he  asked,  reading  the 
answer  in  her  face,  before  she  could  whisper, 
with  the  look  of  mingled  awe  and  adoration 
which  she  always  wore  when  speaking  of  him 
as  a  poet, — 

"  Never  can  I  tell  you  what  I  feel.  It  almost 
frightens  me  to  find  how  well  you  know  me  and 
yourself,  and  other  hearts  like  ours. .  What  gives 
you  this  wonderful  power,  and  shows  you  how  to 
use  it  ? " 

"  Don't  praise  it  too  much,  or  I  shall  wish  I 
had  destroyed,  instead  of  re-sorting,  the  second 
part  for  you  to  hear."  Canaris  spoke  almost 
roughly,  and  rose,  as  if  about  to  go  and  do  it 
now.  But  Gladys  caught  his  hand,  saying  gayly, 
as  she  drew  him  out  into  the  fire-light  with  per 
suasive  energy,  — 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        147 

"  That  you  shall  never  do ;  but  come  and  enjoy 
it  with  us.  You  need  not  be  so  modest,  for 
you  know  you  like  it.  Now  I  am  perfectly 
happy." 

She  looked  so,  as  she  saw  her  husband  sink  in 
to  the  tall-backed  chair,  and  took  her  place  beside 
him,  laughing  at  the  almost  comic  mixture  of 
sternness,  resignation,  and  impatience  betrayed 
by  his  set  lips,  silent  acquiescence,  and  excited 
eyes. 

"  Now  we  are  ready ; "  and  Gladys  folded  her 
hands  with  the  rapturous  contentment  of  a  child 
at  its  first  fairy  spectacle. 

"  All  but  the  story.  I  will  fetch  it ; "  and  Hel- 
wyze  stepped  quickly  behind  the  screen  before 
either  could  stir. 

Gladys  half  rose,  but  Canaris  drew  her  down 
again,  whispering,  in  an  almost  resentful  tone,  — 

"  Let  him,  if  he  will ;  you  wait  on  him  too 
much.  I  put  the  papers  in  order ;  he  will  read 
them  easily  enough." 

"  Nay,  do  not  be  angry,  dear ;  he  does  it  to 
please  me,  and  surely  no  one  could  read  it  better. 
I  know  you  would  feel  too  much  to  do  it  well," 
she  answered,  her  hand  in  his,  with  its  most 
soothing  touch. 

There  was  no  time  for  more.     Helwyze  re- 


148       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

turned,  and,  after  a  hasty  resettling  of  the  manu 
script,  read  on,  without  pausing,  to  the  story's 
end,  as  if  unconscious  of  fatigue,  and  bent  on 
doing  justice  to  the  power  of  the  prot/gJ  whose 
success  was  his  benefactor's  best  reward.  At 
first,  Gladys  glanced  at  her  husband  from  time 
to  time ;  but  presently  the  living  man  beside 
her  grew  less  real  than  that  other,  who,  despite 
a  new  name  and  country,  strange  surroundings, 
and  far  different  circumstances,  was  so  unmis 
takably  the  same,  that  she  could  not  help  feeling 
and  following  his  fate  to  its  close,  with  an  interest 
almost  as  intense  as  if,  in  very  truth,  she  saw 
Canaris  going  to  his  end.  Her  interest  in  the 
woman  lessened,  and  was  lost  in  her  eagerness 
to  have  the  hero  worthy  of  the  love  she  gave, 
the  honor  others  felt  for  him ;  and,  when  the 
romance  brought  him  to  defeat  and  death,  she 
was  so  wrought  upon  by  this  illusion,  that  she 
fell  into  a  passion  of  sudden  tears,  weeping  as 
she  had  never  wept  before. 

Felix  sat  motionless,  his  hand  over  his  eyes, 
lips  closely  folded,  lest  they  should  betray  too 
much  emotion  ;  the  irresistible  conviction  that 
it  was  good,  strengthening  every  instant,  till 
he  felt  only  the  fascination  and  excitement  of 
an  hour,  which  foretold  others  even  more  de- 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        149 

licious.  When  the  tale  ended,  the  melodious 
voice  grew  silent,  and  nothing  was  heard  but 
the  eloquent  sobbing  of  a  woman.  Words  seemed 
unnecessary,  and  none  were  uttered  for  several 
minutes,  then  Helwyze  asked  briefly,  — 

"  Shall  we  burn  it  ? " 

As  briefly  Canaris  answered  "  No ; "  and 
Gladys,  quickly  recovering  the  self-control  so 
seldom  lost,  looked  up  with  "  a  face,  clear  shin 
ing  after  rain,"  as  she  said  in  the  emphatic  tone 
of  deepest  feeling,  — 

"  It  would  be  like  burning  a  live  thing.  But, 
Felix,  you  must  not  kill  that  man :  I  cannot 
have  him  die  so.  Let  him  live  to  conquer  all 
his  enemies,  the  worst  in  himself ;  then,  if  you 
must  end  tragically,  let  the  woman  go;  she 
would  not  care,  if  he  were  safe." 

"  But  she  is  the  heroine  of  the  piece ;  and,  if  it 
does  not  end  with  her  lamenting  over  the  fallen 
hero,  the  dramatic  point  is  lost,"  said  Helwyze ; 
for  Canaris  had  sprung  up,  and  was  walking 
restlessly  about  the  room,  as  if  the  spirits  he 
had  evoked  were  too  strong  to  be  laid  even  by 
himself. 

"  I  know  nothing  about  that ;  but  I  feel  the 
moral  point  would  be  lost,  if  it  is  not  changed. 
Surely,  powerful-  as  pity  is,  a  lofty  admiration  is 


ISO       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

better  ;  and  this  poem  would  be  nobler,  in  every 
way,  if  that  man  ends  by  living  well,  than  by 
dying  ignominiously  in  spite  of  his  courage.  I 
cannot  explain  it,  but  I  am  sure  it  is  so ;  and 
I  will  not  let  Felix  spoil  his  best  piece  of  work 
by  such  a  mistake." 

"Then  you  like  it ?  You  would  be  happy  if  I 
changed  and  let  it  go  before  the  world,  for  your 
sake  more  than  for  my  own  ? " 

Canaris  paused  beside  her,  pale  with  some 
emotion  stronger  than  gratified  vanity  or  ambi 
tious  hope.  Gladys  thought  it  was  love ;  and, 
carried  out  of  herself  by  the  tender  pride  that 
overflowed  her  heart  and  would  not  be  con 
trolled,  she  let  an  action,  more  eloquent  than  any 
words,  express  the  happiness  she  was  the  first 
to  feel,  the  homage  she  would  be  the  first  to  pay. 
Kneeling  before  him,  she  clasped  her  hands  to 
gether,  and  looked  up  at  him  with  cheeks  still 
wet,  lips  still  tremulous,  eyes  still  full  of  wonder, 
admiration,  fervent  gratitude,  and  love. 

In  one  usually  so  self- restrained  as  Gladys 
such  joyful  abandonment  was  doubly  capti 
vating  and  impressive.  Canaris  felt  it  so ;  and, 
lifting  her  up,  pressed  her  to  a  heart  'whose 
loud  throbbing  thanked  her,  even  while  he 
gently  turned  her  face  away,  as  if  he  could  not 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       I$I 

bear  to  see  and  receive  such  worship  from  so 
pure  a  source.  The  unexpected  humility  in  his 
voice  touched  her  strangely,  and  made  her  feel 
more  deeply  than  ever  how  genuine  was  the 
genius  which  should  yet  make  him  great,  as  well 
as  beloved. 

"  I  will  do  what  you  wish,  for  you  see  more 
clearly  than  I.  You  shall  be  happy,  and  I  will 
be  proud  of  doing  it,  even  if  no  one  else  sees  any 
good  in'my  work." 

"  They  will !  they  must !  It  may  not  be  the 
grandest  thing  you  will  ever  do,  but  it  is  so 
human,  it  cannot  fail  to  touch  and  charm ;  and 
to  me  that  is  as  great  an  act  as  to  astonish  or 
dazzle  by  splendid  learning  or  wonderful  wit. 
Make  it  noble  as  well  as  beautiful,  then  people 
will  love  as  well  as  praise  you." 

"  I  will  try,  Gladys.  I  see  now  what  I 
should  have  written,  and  —  if  I  can  —  it  shall  be 
done." 

"  I  promised  you  inspiration,  you  remember : 
have  I  not  kept  my  word  ? "  asked  Helwyze, 
forgotten,  and  content  to  be  forgotten,  until 
now. 

Canaris  looked  up  quickly ;  but  there  was 
no  gratitude  in  his  face,  as  he  answered,  with 
his  hand  on  the  head  he  pressed  against  his 


152       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

shoulder,  and  a  certain  subdued  passion  in  his 
voice,  — 

"  You  have :  not  the  highest  inspiration  ;  but, 
if  she  is  happy,  it  will  atone  for  much  " 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       153 


XL 


A  ND  Gladys  was  happy  for  a  little  while. 
Canaris  labored  doggedly  till  all "  was 
finished  as  she  wished.  Helwyze  lent  the  aid 
which  commands  celerity;  and  early  in  the  new 
year  the  book  came  out,  to  win  for  itself  and  its 
author  the  admiration  and  regard  she  had  proph 
esied.  But  while  the  outside  world,  with  which 
she  had  little  to  do  except  through  her  husband, 
rejoiced  over  him  and  his  work,  she,  in  her  own 
small  world,  where  he  was  all  in  all,  was  finding 
cause  to  wonder  and  grieve  at  the  change  which 
took  place  in  him. 

"  I  have  done  my  task,  now  let  me  play,"  he 
said ;  and  play  he  did,  quite  as  energetically  as 
he  had  worked,  though  to  far  less  purpose. 
Praise  seemed  to  intoxicate  him,  for  he  appeared 
to  forget  every  thing  else,  and  bask  in  its  sun 
shine,  as  if  he  never  could  have  enough  of  it. 
His  satisfaction  would  have  been  called  egre 
gious  vanity,  had  it  not  been  so  gracefully  ex 
pressed,  and  the  work  done  so  excellent  that  all 


154       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

agreed  the  young  man  had  a  right  to  be  proud 
of  it,  and  enjoy  his  reward  as  he  pleased.  He 
went  out  much,  being  again  caressed  and  feted 
to  his  heart's  content,  leaving  Gladys  to  amuse 
Helwyze  ;  for  a  very  little  of  this  sort  of  gayety 
satisfied  her,  and  there  was  something  painful 
to  her  in  the  almost  feverish  eagerness  with 
which  her  husband  sought  and  enjoyed  excite 
ment  of  all  kinds.  Glad  and  proud  though  she 
was,  it  troubled  her  to  see  him  as  utterly  en 
grossed  as  if  existence  had  no  higher  aim  than 
the  most  refined  and  varied  pleasure ;  and  she 
began  to  feel  that,  though  the  task  was  done, 
she  had  not  got  him  back  again  from  that  other 
mistress,  who  seemed  to  have  bewitched  him  with 
her  dazzling  charms. 

•  "  He  will  soon  have  enough  of  it,  and  return 
to  us  none  the  worse.  Remember  how  young 
he  is  ;  how  natural  that  he  should  love  pleasure 
overmuch,  when  he  gets  it,  since  he  has  had  so 
little  hitherto,"  said  Helwyze,  answering  the 
silent  trouble  in  the  face  of  Gladys  ;  for  she 
never  spoke  of  her  daily  increasing  anxiety. 

"But  it  does  not  seem  to  make  him  happy; 
and  for  that  reason  I  sometimes  think  it  cannot 
be  the  best  kind  of  pleasure  for  him,"  an 
swered  Gladys,  remembering  how  flushed  and 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       155 

weary  he  had  been  when  he  came  in  last  night, 
so  late  that  it  was  nearly  dawn. 

"  He  is  one  who  will  taste  all  kinds,  and  not 
be  contented  till  he  has  had  his  fill.  Roaming 
about  Europe  with  that  bad,  brilliant  father 
of  his  gave  him  glimpses  of  many  things  which 
he  was  too  poor  to  enjoy  then,  but  not  too  young 
to  remember  and  desire  now,  when  it  is  possi 
ble  to  gratify  the  wish.  Let  him  go,  he  will 
come  back  to  you  when  he  is  tired.  It  is  the 
only  way  to  manage  him,  I  find." 

But  Gladys  did  not  think  so  ;  and,  finding  that 
Helwyze  would  not  speak,  she  resolved  that  she 
would  venture  to  do  it,  for  many  things  disturbed 
her,  which  wifely  loyalty  forbade  her  to  repeat ; 
as  well  as  a  feeling  that  Helwyze  would  not 
see  cause  for  anxiety  in  her  simple  fears,  since 
he  encouraged  Felix  in  this  reckless  gayety. 

Some  hours  later,  she  found  Canaris  newly 
risen,  sitting  at  his  escritoire  in  their  own  room, 
with  a  strew  of  gold  and  notes  before  him,  which 
he  affected  to  be  counting  busily ;  though  when 
she  entered  she  had  seen  him  in  a  despondent 
attitude,  doing  nothing. 

"  How  pale  you  look.  Why  will  you  stay  so 
late  and  get  these  weary  headaches  ? "  she 
asked,  stroking  the  thick  locks  off  his  forehead 
with  a  caressing  touch. 


156       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  '  Too  late  I  stayed,  forgive  the  crime  j 

Unheeded  flew  the  hours  ; 
For  lightly  falls  the  foot  of  time, 
That  only  treads  on  flowers.'  " 

sang  Canaris,  looking  up  at  her  with  an  assump 
tion  of  mirth,  sadder  than  the  melancholy  which 
it  could  not  wholly  hide. 

"  You  make  light  of  it,  Felix ;  but  I  am  sure 
you  will  fall  ill,  if  you  do  not  get  more  sleep  and 
quieter  dreams,"  she  said,  still  smoothing  the 
glossy  dark  rings  of  which  she  was  so  proud. 

"  Cara  mia,  what  do  you  know  about  my 
dreams  ? "  he  asked,  with  a  hint  of  surprise  in 
the  manner,  which  was  still  careless. 

"You  toss  about,  and  talk  so  wildly  some 
times,  that  it  troubles  me  to  hear  you." 

"  I  will  stop  it  at  once.  What  do  I  talk 
about  ?  Something  amusing,  I  hope,"  he  asked, 
quickly. 

"  That  I  cannot  tell,  for  you  speak  in  French 
or  Italian ;  but  you  sigh  terribly,  and  often  seem 
angry  or  excited  about  something." 

"That  is  odd.  I  do  not  remember  my 
dreams,  but  it  is  little  wonder  my  poor  wits 
are  distraught,  after  all  they  have  been  through 
lately.  Did  I  talk  last  night,  and  spoil  your 
sleep,  love  ? "  asked  Canaris,  idly  piling  up  a 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       157 

little  heap  of  coins,  though  listening  intently 
for  her  reply. 

"  Yes :  you  seemed  very  busy,  and  said  more 
than  once,  '  Le  jeu  est  fait,  rien  ne  va  plus.' 
'  Rouge  gagne  et  couleur,'  —  or,  '  Rouge  perd 
et  couleur  gagne.'  I  know  what  those  words 
mean,  because  I  have  read  them  *  in  a  novel ; 
and  they  trouble  me  from  your  lips,  Felix." 

"  I  must  have  been  dreaming  of  a  week  I  once 
spent  in  Homberg,  with  my  father.  We  don't 
do  that  sort  of  thing  here." 

"  Not  under  the  same  name,  perhaps.  Dear, 
do  you  ever  play  ? "  asked  Gladys,  leaning  her 
cheek  against  the  head  which  had  sunk  a  little, 
as  he  leaned  forward  to  smooth  out  the  crumpled 
notes  before  him. 

"  Why  not  ?     One  must  amuse  one's  self." 

"  Not  so.  Please  promise  that  you  will  try 
some  safer  way  ?  This  is  not  —  honest."  She 
hesitated  over  the  last  word,  for  his  tone  had 
been  short  and  sharp,  but  uttered  it  bravely, 
and  stole  an  arm  about  his  neck,  mutely  asking 
pardon  for  the  speech  which  cost  her  so  much. 

"  What  is  ?  Life  is  all  a  lottery,  and  one 
must  keep  trying  one's  luck  while  the  wheel 
goes  round ;  for  prizes  are  few  and  blanks 
many,  you  know." 


158       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"Ah,  do  not  speak  in  that  reckless  way. 
Forgive  me  for  asking  questions  ;  but  you  are  all 
I  have,  and  I  must  take  care  of  you,  since  no  one 
else  has  the  right." 

"  Or  the  will.  Ask  what  you  please.  I  will 
tell  you  any  thing,  my  visible  conscience  ; "  and 
Canaris  took  her  in  the  circle  of  his  arm,  sub 
dued  by  the  courageous  tenderness  that  made 
her  what  he  called  her. 

"  Is  that  all  yours  ?  "  she  whispered,  pointing  a 
small  forefinger  rather  sternly  at  the  money  be 
fore  him,  and  sweetening  the  question  with  a  kiss. 

"  No,  it  is  yours,  every  penny  of  it.  Put  it  in 
the  little  drawer,  and  make  merry  with  it,  else  I 
shall  be  sorry  I  won  it  for  you." 

"That  I  cannot  do.  Please  do  not  ask  me. 
There  is  always  enough  in  the  little  drawer  for 
me,  and  I  like  better  to  use  the  money  you  have 
earned." 

"Say,  rather,  the  salary  which  you  earn  and  / 
spend.  It  is  all  wrong,  Gladys ;  but  I  cannot 
help  it!"  and  Canaris  pushed  away  his  winnings, 
as  if  he  despised  them  and  himself. 

"  It  is  my  fault  that  you  did  this,  because  I 
begged  you  not  to  let  Mr.  Helwyze  give  me  so 
much.  I  can  take  any  thing  from  you,  for  I  love 
you,  but  not  from  him  ;  so  you  try  to  make  me 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       159 

think  you  have  enough  to  gratify  my  every  wish. 
Is  not  that  true  ? " 

"  Yes :  I  hate  to  have  you  accept  any  thing 
from  him,  and  find  it  harder  to  do  so  myself, 
than  before  you  came.  Yet  I  cannot  help  lik 
ing  play ;  for  it  is  an  inherited  taste,  and  he 
knows  it." 

"  And  does  not  warn  you  ? " 

"  Not  he :  I  inherit  my  father's  luck  as  well  as 
skill,  and  Helwyze  enjoys  hearing  of  my  success 
in  this,  as  in  other  things.  We  used  to  play 
together,  till  he  tired  of  it.  There  is  nothing 
equal  to  it  when  one  is  tormented  with  ennui  !" 

"  Felix,  I  fear  that,  though  a  kind  friend,  he  is 
not  a  wise  one.  Why  does  he  encourage  your 
vices,  and  take  no  interest  in  strengthening  your 
virtues  ?  Forgive  me,  but  we  all  have  both,  and 
I  want  you  to  be  as  good  as  you  are  gifted,"  she 
said,  with  such  an  earnest,  tender  face,  he  could 
not  feel  offended. 

"  He  does  not  care  for  that.  The  contest  be 
tween  the  good  and  evil  in  me  interests  him  most, 
for  he  knows  how  to  lay  his  hand  on  the  weak  or 
wicked  spots  in  a  man's  heart ;  and  playing  with 
other  people's  passions  is  his  favorite  amuse 
ment.  Have  you  not  discovered  this  ? " 

Canaris  spoke  gloomily,  and  Gladys  shivered 


160       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

as  she  held  him  closer,  and  answered  in  a 
whisper,  — 

"Yes,  I  feel  as  if  under  a  microscope  when 
with  him ;  yet  he  is  very  kind  to  me,  and  very 
patient  with  my  ignorance.  Felix,  is  he  trying 
to  discover  the  evil  in  me,  when  he  gives  me 
strange  things  to  read,  and  sits  watching  me 
while  I  do  it  ?  " 

"  Gott  bezvahre  !  —  but  of  this  I  am  sure,  he 
will  find  no  evil  in  you,  my  white-souled  little 
wife,  unless  he  puts  it  there.  Gladys,  refuse  to 
read  what  pains  and  puzzles  you.  I  will  not  let 
him  vex  your  peace.  Can  he  not  be  content 
with  me,  since  I  am  his,  body  and  soul  ? " 

Canaris  put  her  hastily  away,  to  walk  the  room 
with  a  new  sense  of  wrong  hot  within  him  at 
the  thought  of  the  dangers  into  which  he  had 
brought  her  against  his  will.  But  Gladys,  car 
ing  only  for  him,  ventured  to  add,  with  her  kind 
ling  eyes  upon  his  troubled  face,  — 

"  I  will  not  let  him  vex  your  peace  !  Refuse 
to  do  the  things  which  you  feel  are  wrong,  lest 
what  are  only  pleasures  now  may  become  terri 
ble  temptations  by  and  by.  I  love  and  trust  you 
as  he  never  can  ;  I  will  not  believe  your  vices 
stronger  than  your  virtues  ;  and  I  will  defend 
you,  if  he  tries  to  harm  the  husband  God  has 
given  me." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       l6l 

"  Bless  you  for  that !  it  is  so  long  since  I  have 
had  any  one  to  care  for  me,  that  I  forget  my 
duty  to  you.  I  am  tired  of  all  this  froth  and 
folly  ;  I  will  stay  at  home  hereafter ;  that  will  be 
safest,  if  not  happiest." 

He  began  impetuously,  but  his  voice  fell,  and 
was  almost  inaudible  at  the  last  word,  as  he 
turned  away  to  hide  the  expression  of  regret 
which  he  could  not  disguise.  But  Gladys  heard 
and  saw,  and  the  vague  fear  which  sometimes 
haunted  her  stirred  again,  and  took  form  in  the 
bitter  thought,  "Home  is  not  happy:  am  I  the 
cause  ? " 

She  put  it  from  her  instantly,  as  if  doubt  were 
dishonor,  and  spoke  out  in  the  cordial  tone  which 
always  cheered  and  soothed  him,  — 

"  It  shall  be  both,  if  I  can  make  it  so.  Let 
me  try,  and  perhaps  I  can  do  for  you  what  Mr. 
Helwyze  says  I  have  done  for  him,  —  caused  him 
to  forget  his  troubles,  and  be  glad  he  is  alive." 

Canaris  swung  round  with  a  peculiar  expres 
sion  on  his  face. 

"  He  says  that,  does  he  ?  Then  he  is  satisfied 
with  his  bargain !  I  thought  as  much,  though 
he  never  condescended  to  confess  it  to  me." 

"  What  bargain,  Felix  ? " 

"  The  pair  of  us.     We  were  costly,  but  he  got 

K 


1 62       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

us,  as  he  gets  every  thing  he  sets  his  heart  upon. 
He  was  growing  tired  of  me  ;  but  when  I  would 
have  gone,  he  kept  me,  by  making  it  possible  for 
me  to  win  you  for  myself  —  and  him.  Six 
months  between  us  have  shown  you  this,  I 
know,  and  it  is  in  vain  to  hide  from  you  how 
much  I  long  to  break  away  and  be  free  again  — 
if  I  ever  can." 

He  looked  ready  to  break  away  at  once,  and 
Gladys  sympathized  with  him,  seeing  now  the 
cause  of  his  unrest. 

"  I  know  the  feeling,  for  I  too  am  tired  of  this 
life ;  not  because  it  is  so  quiet,  but  so  divided. 
I  want  to  live  for  you  alone,  no  matter  how  poor 
and  humble  my  place  may  be.  Now  I  am  so 
little  with  you,  I  sometimes  feel  as  if  I  should 
grow  less  and  less  to  you,  till  I  am  nothing  but 
a  burden  and  a  stumbling-block.  Can  we  not 
go  and  be  happy  somewhere  else  ?  must  we  stay 
here  all  our  lives?"  she  asked,  confessing  the 
desire  which  had  been  strengthening  rapidly  of 
late. 

"  While  he  lives  I  must  stay,  if  he  wants  me. 
I  cannot  be  ungrateful.  Remember  all  he  has 
done  for  me.  It  will  not  be  long  to  wait,  per 
haps." 

Canaris  spoke  hurriedly,  as  if  regretting  his 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       163 

involuntary  outburst,  and  anxious  to  atone  for  it 
by  the  submission  which  always  seemed  at  war 
with  some  stronger,  if  not  nobler,  sentiment. 
Gladys  sat  silent,  lost  in  thought ;  while  her  hus 
band  swept  the  ill-gotten  money  into  a  drawer, 
and  locked  it  up,  as  if  relieved  to  have  it  out  of 
sight.  Soon  the  cloud  lifted,  however ;  and  going 
to  him,  as  he  stood  at  the  window,  looking  out 
with  the  air  of  a  caged  eagle,  she  said,  with  her 
hand  upon  his  arm,  — 

"  You  are  right :  we  will  be  grateful  and  pa 
tient  ;  but  while  we  wait  we  must  work,  because 
in  that  one  always  finds  strength  and  comfort. 
What  can  we  do  to  earn  the  wherewithal  to 
found  our  own  little  home  upon  when  this  is 
gone  ?  I  have  nothing  valuable ;  have  you  ? " 

"  Nothing  but  this ; "  and  he  touched  the 
bright  head  beside  him,  recalling  the  moment 
when  she  said  her  hair  was  all  the  gold  she  had. 

Gladys  remembered  it  as  well,  and  the  prom 
ise  then  made  to  help  him,  both  as  wife  and 
woman.  The  time  seemed  to  have  come ;  and, 
taking  counsel  of  her  own  integrity,  she  had 
dared  to  speak  in  the  "  sincere  voice  that  made 
truth  sweeter  than  falsehood."  Now  she  tried, 
in  her  simple  way,  to  show  how  the  self-respect 
he  seemed  in  danger  of  losing  might  be  pre- 


1 64       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

served  by  a  task  whose  purpose  would  be  both 
salvation  and  reward. 

"Then  let  the  wit  inside  this  head  of  mine 
show  you  how  to  turn  an  honest  penny,"  she 
began,  unfolding  her  plan  with  an  enthusiasm 
which  redeemed  its  most  prosaic  features.  "  Mr. 
Helwyze  says  that  even  the  best  poetry  is  not 
profitable,  except  in  fame.  That  you  already 
have ;  and  pride  and  pleasure  in  the  new  book  is 
enough,  without  spoiling  it  by  being  vexed  about 
the  money  it  may  bring.  But  you  can  use  your 
pen  in  other  ways,  before  it  is  time  to  write 
another  poem.  One  of  these  ways  is  the  trans 
lation  of  that  curious  Spanish  book  you  were 
speaking  of  the  other  day.  That  will  bring 
something,  as  it  is  rare  and  old ;  and  you,  that 
have  half  a  dozen  languages  at  your  tongue's 
end,  can  easily  find  plenty  of  such  work,  now 
that  you  do  not  absolutely  need  it." 

"That  sounds  a  little  bitter,  Gladys.  Don't 
let  my  resentful  temper  spoil  your  sweet  one." 

"  I  am  learning  fast ;  among  other  things,  that 
to  him  who  hath,  more  shall  be  given  ;  so  you, 
being  a  successful  man,  may  hope  for  plenty  of 
help  from  all  now,  though  you  were  left  to  starve, 
when  a  kind  word  would  have  saved  you  so 
much  suffering,"  Gladys  answered,  not  bitterly, 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        165 

but  with  a  woman's  pitiful  memory  of  the  wrongs 
done  those  dearest  her. 

"  God  knows  it  would  !  "  ejaculated  Canaris, 
with  unusual  fervor. 

"  Mr.  Helwyze  remembers  that,  I  think ;  and 
this  is  perhaps  the  reason  why  he  is  so  generous 
now.  Too  much  so  for  your  good,  I  fear  ;  and  so 
I  speak,  because,  young  as  I  am,  I  cannot  help 
trying  to  watch  over  you,  as  a  wife  should." 

"  I  like  it,  Gladys.  I  am  old,  in  many  things, 
for  my  years,  but  a  boy  s'till  in  love,  and  you 
must  teach  me  how  to  be  worthy  of  all  you  give 
so  generously  and  sweetly." 

"  Do  I  give  the  most  ? " 

"  All  women  do,  they  say.  But  go  on,  and 
tell  the  rest  of  this  fine  plan  of  yours.  While  I 
use  my  polyglot  accomplishments,  what  becomes 
of  you  ? "  he  asked,  hastily  returning  to  the 
safer  subject ;  for  the  wistful  look  in  her  eyes 
smote  him  to  the  heart. 

"  I  work  also.  You  are  still  Mr.  Helwyze's 
homme  d'affaires,  as  he  calls  you  ;  I  am  still  his 
reader.  But  when  he  does  not  need  me,  I  shall 
take  up  my  old  craft  again,  and  embroider,  as 
I  used  at  home.  You  do  not  know  how  skilful  I 
am  with  the  needle,  and  never  dreamed  that  the 
initials  on  the  handkerchiefs  you  admired  so 


1 66       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

much  were  all  my  work.  Oh,  I  am  a  thrifty  wife, 
though  such  a  little  one!"  and  Gladys  broke 
into  her  clear  child's  laugh,  which  seemed  to 
cheer  them  both,  as  a  lark's  song  makes  music 
even  in  a  cloud. 

Canaris  laughed  with  her ;  for  these  glimpses 
of  practical  gifts  and  shrewd  common  sense  in 
Gladys  were  very  like  the  discovery  of  a  rock 
under  its  veil  of  moss,  or  garland  of  airy  colum 
bines. 

"  But  what  will  he  say  to  all  this  ? "  asked  the 
young  man,  with  a  downward  gesture  of  the 
finger,  and  in  his  eye  a  glimmer  of  malicious 
satisfaction  at  the  thought  of  having  at  least 
one  secret  in  which  Helvvyze  had  no  part. 

"We  need  not  tell  him.  It  is  nothing  to  him 
what  we  do  up  here.  Let  him  find  out,  if  he 
cares  to  know,"  answered  Gladys,  with  a  charm 
ingly  mutinous  air,  as  she  tripped  away  to  her 
own  little  room. 

"  He  will  care,  and  he  will  find  out.  He  has 
no  right ;  but  that  will  not  stop  him,"  returned 
Canaris,  following  to  lean  in  the  door-way,  and 
watch  her  kneeling  before  a  great  basket,  from 
which  she  pulled  reels  of  gay  silk,  unfinished 
bits  of  work,  and  fragments  of  old  lace. 

"  See  ! "  she  said,  holding  up  one  of  the  latter, 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES,       1 6? 

"  I  can  both  make  and  mend  ;  and  one  who  is 
clever  at  this  sort  of  thing  can  earn  a  pretty 
penny  in  a  quiet  way.  Through  my  old  employer 
I  can  get  all  the  work  I  want ;  so  please  do  not 
forbid  it,  Felix :  I  should  be  so  much  happier,  if 
I  might  ? " 

"  I  will  forbid  nothing  that  makes  you  happy. 
But  Helwyze  will  be  exceeding  wroth  when  he 
discovers  it,  unless  the  absurdity  of  beggars  liv 
ing  in  a  palace  strikes  him  as  it  does  me." 

"  I  am  not  afraid  ! " 

"You  never  saw  him  in  a  rage  :  I  have.  Quite 
calm  and  cool,  but  rather  awful,  as  he  withers 
you  with  a  look,  or  drives  you  half  wild  with  a 
word  that  stings  like  a  whip,  and  makes  you  hate 
him." 

"  Still  I  would  not  fear  him,  unless  I  had  done 
wrong." 

"  He  makes  you  feel  so,  whether  you  have  or 
not ;  and  you  ask  pardon  for  doing  what  you 
know  is  right.  It  is  singular,  but  he  certainly 
does  make  black  seem  white,  sometimes,"  mused 
Canaris,  knitting  his  brows  with  the  old  per 
plexity. 

"  I  am  afraid  so  ; "  and  Gladys  folded  up  a 
sigh  in  the  parcel  of  rosy  floss  she  laid  away. 
Then  she  chased  the  frown  from  her  husband's 


1 68       A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

face  by  talking  blithely  of  the  home  they  would 
yet  earn  and  enjoy  together. 

Conscious  that  things  were  more  amiss  with 
him  than  she  suspected,  Canaris  was  glad  to  try 
the  new  cure,  and  soon  found  it  so  helpful,  that 
he  was  anxious  to  continue  it.  Very  pleasant  were 
the  hours  they  spent  together  in  their  own 
rooms,  when  the  duties  they  owed  Helwyze  were 
done ;  all  the  pleasanter  for  them,  perhaps,  be 
cause  this  domestic  league  of  theirs  shut  him  out 
from  their  real  life  as  inevitably  as  it  drew  them 
nearer  to  one  another. 

The  task  now  in  hand  was  one  that  Canaris 
could  do  easily  and  well ;  and  Gladys's  example 
kept  him  at  it  when  the  charm  of  novelty  was 
gone.  While  he  wrote  she  sat  near,  so  quietly 
busy,  that  he  often  forgot  her  presence ;  but  when 
he  looked  up,  the  glance  of  approval,  the  encour 
aging  word,  the  tender  smile,  were  always  ready, 
and  wonderfully  inspiring ;  for  this  sweet  com 
rade  grew  dearer  day  by  day.  While  he  rested 
she  still  worked ;  and  he  loved  to  watch  the 
flowery  wonders  grow  beneath  her  needle,  swift 
as  skilful.  Now  a  golden  wheat-ear,  a  scarlet 
poppy,  a  blue  violet;  or  the  white  embroidery, 
that  made  his  eyes  ache  with  following  the  tiny 
stitches,  which  seemed  to  sow  seed-pearls  along 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        169 

a  hem,  weave  graceful  ciphers,  or  make  lace-work 
like  a  cobweb. 

Something  in  it  pleased  his  artistic  sense  of 
the  beautiful,  and  soothed  him,  as  did  the  con 
versation  that  naturally  went  on  between  them. 
Oftenest  he  talked,  telling  her  more  of  his  varied 
life  than  any  other  human  being  knew ;  and  in 
these  confidences  she  found  the  clew  to  many 
things  which  had  pained  or  puzzled  her  before ; 
because,  spite  of  her  love,  Gladys  was  clear 
sighted,  even  against  her  will.  Then  she  would 
answer  with  the  story  of  her  monotonous  days, 
her  lonely  labors,  dreams,  and  hopes ;  and  they 
would  comfort  one  another  by  making  pictures 
of  a  future  too  beautiful  ever  to  be  true. 

Helwyze  was  quick  to  perceive  the  new  change 
which  came  over  Felix,  the  happy  peace  which 
had  returned  to  Gladys.  He  "  did  care,  and  he 
did  find  out,"  what  the  young  people  were  about. 
At  first  he  smiled  at  the  girl's  delusion  in  be 
lieving  that  she  could  fix  a  nature  so  mercurial 
as  that  of  Canaris,  but  did  not  wonder  at  his 
yielding,  for  a  time  at  least,  to  such  tender  per 
suasion  ;  and,  calling  them  "  a  pair  of  innocents," 
Helwyze  let  them  alone,  till  he  discovered  that 
i  his  power  was  in  danger. 

Presently,  he  began  to  miss  the  sense  of  un- 
8 


I/O       A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

divided  control  which  was  so  agreeable  to  him. 
Canaris  was  as  serviceable  as  ever,  but  no  longer 
made  him  sole  confidant,  counsellor,  and  friend. 
Gladys  was  scrupulously  faithful  still,  but  her  in 
tense  interest  in  his  world  of  books  was  much  les 
sened  :  for  she  was  reading  a  more  engrossing 
volume  than  any  of  these,  —  the  heart  of  the  man 
she  loved.  Something  was  gone  which  he  had 
bargained  for,  thought  he  had  secured,  and  now 
felt  wronged  at  losing,  —  an  indescribable  charm, 
especially  pervading  his  intercourse  with  Gladys  ; 
for  this  friendship,  sweet  as  honey,  pure  as  dew, 
had  just  begun  to  blossom,  when  a  chilly  breath 
seemed  to  check  its  progress,  leaving  only  cheer 
ful  service,  not  the  spontaneous  devotion  which 
had  been  so  much  to  him. 

He  said  nothing  ;  but  for  all  his  imperturbabil 
ity,  it  annoyed  him,  as  the  gnat  annoyed  the 
lion  ;  and,  though  scarcely  acknowledged  even  to 
himself,  it  lurked  under  various  moods  and  mo 
tives,  impelling  him  to  words  and  acts  which 
produced  dangerous  consequences. 
"  Pray  forgive  us,  we  are  very  late." 
"  Time  goes  so  fast,  we  quite  forgot !  "  ex 
claimed  Felix  and  Gladys  both  together,  as 
they  hurried  into  the  library,  one  bright  March 
morning,  looking  so  blithe  and  young,  that 


^  A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       I? I 

Helwyze  suddenly  felt  old  and  sad  and  bitter- 
hearted,  as  if  they  had  stolen  something  from 
him. 

"I  have  learned  to  wait,"  he  said,  with  the 
cold  brevity  which  was  the  only  sign  of  dis 
pleasure  Gladys  ever  saw  in  him. 

In  remorseful  silence  she  hastened  to  find 
her  place  in  the  book  they  were  reading ;  but 
Canaris,  who  seemed  bubbling  over  with  good 
spirits,  took  no  notice  of  the  chill,  and  asked, 
with  unabated  cheerfulness, — 

"  Any  commissions,  sir,  beside  these  letters  ? 
I  feel  as  if  I  '  could  put  a  girdle  round  the  earth 
in  forty  minutes/  it  is  such  a  glorious,  spring 
like  day." 

"  Nothing  but  the  letters.      Stay  a  moment, 

^ 

while  I  add  another ; "  and,  taking  up  the  pen  he 
had  laid  by,  Helwyze  wrote  hastily,  — 

"  To  OLIVIA  AT  THE  SOUTH  :  — 

"  The  swallows  will  be  returning  soon  ;  return 
with  them,  if  you  can.  I  am  deadly  dull :  come 
and  make  a  little  mischief  to  amuse  me.  I  miss 

vou-  JASPER." 

Sealing  and  directing  this,  he  handed  it  to 
Canaris,  who  had  been  whispering  to  Gladys 
more  like  a  lover  than  a  husband  of  half  a  year's 


172       A   MODERN  MEPH1STOPHELES. 

standing.  Something  in  the  elder  man's  face 
made  the  younger  glance  involuntarily  at  the 
letter  as  he  took  it. 

"  Olivia  ?     I  promised  to  write  her,  but  I  "  — 

"  Dared  not  ? " 

"  No :  I  forgot  it  ; "  and  Canaris  went  off, 
laughing  at  the  grande  passion,  which  now 
seemed  very  foolish  and  far  away. 

"  This  time,  I  think,  you  will  remember,  for  I 
mean  to  fight  fire  with  fire,"  thought  Helwyze, 
with  a  grim  smile,  such  as  Louis  XI.  might 
have  worn  when  sending  some  gallant  young 
knight  to  carry  his  own  death-warrant. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 


XII. 

LI VI A  came  before  the  swallows ;  for  the 
three  words,  "  I  miss  you,"  would  have 
brought  her  from  the  ends  of  the  earth,  had  she 
exiled  herself  so  far.  She  had  waited  for  him  to 
want  and  call  her,  as  he  often  did  when  others 
wearied  or  failed  him.  Seldom  had  so  long  a 
time  passed  without  some  word  from  him  ;  and 
endless  doubts,  fears,  conjectures,  had  harassed 
her,  as  month  after  month  went  by,  and  no 
summons  came.  Now  she  hastened,  ready  for 
any  thing  he  might  ask  of  her,  since  her  reward 
would  be  a  glimpse  of  the  only  heaven  she 
knew. 

"  Amuse  Felix :  he  is  falling  in  love  with  his 
wife,  and  it  spoils  both  of  them  for  my  use.  He 
says  he  has  forgotten  you.  Come  often,  and  teach 
him  to  remember,  as  penalty  for  his  bad  taste 
and  manners,"  was  the  single  order  Helwyze 
gave  ;  but  Olivia  needed  no  other  ;  and,  for  the 
sake  of  coming  often,  would  have  smiled  upon  a 
far  less  agreeable  man  than  Canaris. 


174       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

Gladys  tried  to  welcome  the  new  guest  cor 
dially,  as  an  unsuspicious  dove  might  have  wel 
comed  a  falcon  to  its  peaceful  cote  ;  but  her  heart 
sunk  when  she  found  her  happy  quiet  sorely  dis 
turbed,  her  husband's  place  deserted,  and  the 
,old  glamour  slowly  returning  to  separate  them,  in 
spite  of  all  her  gentle  arts.  For  Canaris,  feeling 
quite  safe  in  the  sincere  affection  which  now 
bound  him  to  his  wife,  was  foolhardy  in  his 
desire  to  show  Olivia  how  heart-whole  he  had 
become.  This  piqued  her  irresistibly,  because 
Helwyze  was  looking  on,  and  she  would  win  his 
approval  at  any  cost.  So  these  three,  from 
divers  motives,  joined  together  to  teach  poor 
Gladys  how  much  a  woman  can  surfer  with 
silent  fortitude  and  make  no  sign. 

The  weeks  that  followed  seemed  unusually 
gay  and  sunny  ones  ;  for  April  came  in  blandly, 
and  Olivia  made  a  pleasant  stir  throughout  the 
house  by  her  frequent  visits,  and  the  various 
excursions  she  proposed.  Many  of  these  Gladys 
escaped  ;  for  her  pain  was  not  the  jealousy  that 
would  drive  her  to  out-rival  her  rival,  but  the 
sorrowful  shame  and  pity  which  made  her  long 
to  hide  herself,  till  Felix  should  come  back  and 
be  forgiven.  Helwyze  naturally  declined  the 
long  drives,  the  exhilarating  rides  in  the  bright 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       175 

spring  weather,  which  were  so  attractive  to  the 
younger  man,  and  sat  at  home  watching  Gladys, 
now  more  absorbingly  interesting  than  ever.  He 
could  not  but  admire  the  patience,  strength,  and 
dignity  of  the  creature ;  for  she  made  no  com 
plaint,  showed  no  suspicion,  asked  no  advice, 
but  went  straight  on,  like  one  who  followed  with 
faltering  feet,  but  unwavering  eye,  the  single 
star  in  all  the  sky  that  would  lead  her  right.  A 
craving  curiosity  to  know  what  she  felt  and 
thought  possessed  him,  and  he  invited  confi 
dence  by  unwonted  kindliness,  as  well  as  the  un 
failing  courtesy  he  showed  her. 

But  Gladys  would  not  speak  either  to  him  or 
to  her  husband,  who  seemed  wilfully  blind  to  the 
slowly  changing  face,  all  the  sadder  for  the  smile 
it  always  wore  when  his  eyes  were  on  it.  At 
first,  Helwyze  tried  his  gentlest  arts  ;  but,  finding 
her  as  true  as  brave,  was  driven,  by  the  morbid 
curiosity  which  he  had  indulged  till  it  became  a 
mania,  to  use  means  as  subtle  as  sinful,  —  like 
a  burglar,  who,  failing  to  pick  a  lock,  grows 
desperate  and  breaks  it,  careless  of  conse 
quences. 

Taking  his  daily  walk  through  the  house,  he 
once  came  upon  Gladys  watering  the  jardiniere, 
which  was  her  especial  care,  and  always  kept 


1/6       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

full  of  her  favorite  plants.  She  was  not  singing 
as  she  worked,  but  seriously  busy  as  a  child, 
holding  in  both  hands  her  little  watering-pot  to 
shower  the  thirsty  ferns  and  flowers,  who  turned 
up  their  faces  to  be  washed  with  the  silent 
delight  which  was  their  thanks. 

"  See  how  the  dear  things  enjoy  it !  I  feel  as 
if  they  knew  and  watched  for  me,  and  I  never 
like  to  disappoint  them  of  their  bath,"  she  said, 
looking  over  her  shoulder,  as  he  paused  beside 
her.  She  was  used  to  this  now,  and  was  never 
surprised  or  startled  when  below  stairs  by  his 
noiseless  approach. 

"  They  are  doing  finely.  Did  Moss  bring  in 
some  cyclamens  ?  They  are  in  full  bloom  now, 
and  you  are  fond  of  them,  I  think?" 

"  Yes,  here  they  are :  both  purple  and  white, 
so  sweet  and  lovely !  See  how  many  buds  this 
one  has.  I  shall  enjoy  seeing  them  come  out, 
they  unfurl  so  prettily ; "  and,  full  of  interest, 
Gladys  parted  the  leaves  to  show  several  baby 
buds,  whose  rosy  faces  were  just  peeping  from 
their  green  hoods. 

Helwyze  liked  to  see  her  among  the  flowers  ; 
for  there  was  something  peculiarly  innocent  and 
fresh  about  her  then,  as  if  the  woman  forgot  her 
griefs,  and  was  a  girl  again.  It  struck  him  anew, 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       1/7 

as  she  stood  there  in  the  sunshine,  leaning  down 
to  tend  the  soft  leaves  and  cherish  the  delicate 
buds  with  a  caressing  hand. 

"  Like  seeks  like :  you  are  a  sort  of  cyclamen 
yourself.  I  never  observed  it  before,  but  the 
likeness  is  quite  striking,"  he  said,  with  the  slow 
smile  which  usually  prefaced  some  speech  which 
bore  a  double  meaning. 

"  Am  I  ? "  and  Gladys  eyed  the  flowers, 
pleased,  yet  a  little  shy,  of  compliment  from 
him. 

"  This  is  especially  like  you,"  continued  Hel- 
wyze,  touching  one  of  the  freshest.  "  Out  of 
these  strong  sombre  leaves  rises  a  wraith-like 
blossom,  with  white,  softly  folded  petals,  a  rosy 
color  on  its  modest  face,  and  a  most  sweet  per 
fume  for  those  whose  sense  is  fine  enough  to 
perceive  it.  Most  of  all,  perhaps,  it  resembles 
you  in  this,  —  it  hides  its  heart,  and,  if  one  tries 
to  look  too  closely,  there  is  danger  of  snapping 
the  slender  stem." 

"  That  is  its  nature,  and  it  cannot  help  being 
shy.  I  kneel  down  and  look  up  without  touch 
ing  it ;  then  one  sees  that  it  has  nothing  to  hide," 
protested  Gladys,  following  out  the  flower  fancy, 
half  in  earnest,  half  in  jest,  for  she  felt  there  was 
a  question  and  a  reproach  in  his  words. 

8*  L 


178       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"Perhaps  not;  let  us  see,  in  my  way."  With 
a  light  touch  Helwyze  turned  the  reluctant  cyc 
lamen  upward,  and  in  its  purple  cup  there  clung 
a  newly  fallen  drop,  like  a  secret  tear. 

Mute  and  stricken,  Gladys  looked  at  the  little 
symbol  of  herself,  owning,  with  a  throb  of  pain, 
that  if  in  nothing  else,  they  were  alike  in 
that. 

Helwyze  stood  silent  likewise,  inhaling  the 
faint  fragrance  while  he  softly  ruffled  the  curled 
petals  as  if  searching  for  another  tear.  Suddenly 
Gladys  spoke  out  with  the  directness  which 
always  gave  him  a  keen  pleasure,  asking,  as  she 
stretched  her  hand  involuntarily  to  shield  the 
more  helpless  flower,  — 

"  Sir,  why  do  you  wish  to  read  my  heart  ? " 

"  To  comfort  it." 

"  Do  I  need  comfort,  then  ? " 

"Do  you  not  ?  " 

"  If  I  have  a  sorrow,  God  only  can  console 
me,  and  He  only  need  know  it.  To  you  it 
should  be  sacred.  Forgive  me  if  I  seem  un 
grateful  ;  but  you  cannot  help  me,  if  you  would." 

"  Do  you  doubt  my  will  ?  " 

"  I  try  to  doubt  no  one ;  but  I  fear  —  I  fear 
many  things  ; "  and,  as  if  afraid  of  saying  too 
much,  Gladys  broke  off,  to  hurry  away,  wearing 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 


so  strange  a  look  that  Helwyze  was  consumed 
with  a  desire  to  know  its  meaning. 

He  saw  no  more  of  her  till  twilight,  for  Cana- 
ris  took  her  place  just  then,  reading  a  foreign 
book,  which  she  could  not  manage  ;  but,  when 
Felix  went  out,  he  sought  one  of  his  solitary 
haunts,  hoping  she  would  appear. 

She  did  ;  for  the  day  closed  early  with  a  gusty 
rain,  and  the  sunset  hour  was  gray  and  cold, 
leaving  no  after-glow  to  tint  the  western  sky  and 
bathe  the  great  room  in  ruddy  light.  Pale  and 
noiseless  as  a  spirit,  Gladys  went  to  and  fro, 
trying  to  quiet  the  unrest  that  made  her  nights 
sleepless,  her  days  one  long  struggle  to  be  pa 
tient,  just,  and  kind.  She  tried  to  sing,  but  the 
song  died  in  her  throat  ;  she  tried  to  sew,  but 
her  eyes  were  dim,  and  the  flower  under  her 
needle  only  reminded  her  that  "  pansies  were  for 
thoughts,"  and  hers,  alas  !  were  too  sad  for 
thinking  ;  she  took  up  a  book,  but  laid  it  down 
again,  since  Felix  was  not  there  to  finish  it  with 
her.  Her  own  rooms  seemed  so  empty,  she 
could  not  return  thither  when  she  had  looked  for 
him  in  vain  ;  and,  longing  for  some  human  voice 
to  speak  to  her,  it  was  a  relief  to  come  upon  Hel 
wyze  sitting  in  his  lonely  corner,  —  for  she  never 
now  went  to  the  library,  unless  duty  called  her. 


180       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"A  dull  evening,  and  dull  company,"  he  said, 
as  she  paused  beside  him,  glad  to  have  found 
something  to  take  her  out  of  herself,  for  a  time 
at  least. 

"  Such  a  long  day  !  and  such  a  dreary  night 
as  it  will  be ! "  she  answered,  leaning  her  fore 
head  against  the  window-pane,  to  watch  the 
drops  fall,  and  listen  to  the  melancholy  wind. 

"  Shorten  the  one  and  cheer  the  other,  as  I  do  : 
sleep,  dream,  and  forget." 

"  I  cannot ! "  and  there  was  a  world  of  suffering 
in  the  words  that  broke  from  her  against  her  will. 

"Try  my  sleep-compeller  as  freely  as  I  tried 
yours.  See,  these  will  give  you  one,  if  not  all 
the  three  desired  blessings,  —  quiet  slumber,  de 
licious  dreams,  or  utter  oblivion  for  a  time." 

As  he  spoke,  Helwyze  had  drawn  out  a  little 
bonbonntire  of  tortoise-shell  and  silver,  which  he 
always  carried,  and  shaken  into  his  palm  half 
a  dozen  white  comfits,  which  he  offered  to  Gladys, 
with  a  benign  expression  born  of  real  sympathy 
and  compassion.  She  hesitated ;  and  he  added, 
in  a  tone  of  mild  reproach,  which  smote  her 
generous  heart  with  compunction, — 

"Since  I  may  not  even  try  to  minister  to 
your  troubled  mind,  let  me,  at  least,  give  a  little 
rest  to  your  weary  body.  Trust  me,  child,  these 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       l8l 

cannot  hurt  you ;  and,  strong  as  you  are,  you 
will  break  down  if  you  do  not  sleep." 

Without  a  word,  she  took  them  ;  and,  as  they 
melted  on  her  tongue,  first  sweet,  then  bitter,  she 
stood  leaning  against  the  rainy  window-pane, 
listening  to  Helwyze,  who  began  to  talk  as  if 
he  too  had  tasted  the  Indian  drug,  which  "  made 
the  face  of  Coleridge  shine,  as  he  conversed  like 
one  inspired." 

It  seemed  a  very  simple,  friendly  act ;  but  this 
man  had  learned  to  know  how  subtly  the  mind 
works  ;  to  see  how  often  an  apparently  impulsive 
action  is  born  of  an  almost  unconscious  thought, 
an  unacknowledged  purpose,  a  deeply  hidden 
motive,  which  to  many  seem  rather  the  child 
than  the  father  of  the  deed.  Helwyze  did  not 
deceive  himself,  and  owned  that  baffled  desire 
prompted  that  unpremeditated  offer,  and  was 
ready  to  avail  itself  of  any  self-betrayal  which 
might  follow  its  acceptance,  for  he  had  given 
Gladys  hasheesh. 

It  could  not  harm  ;  it  might  soothe  and  com 
fort  her  unrest.  It  surely  would  make  her  forget 
for  a  while,  and  in  that  temporary  oblivion  per 
haps  he  might  discover  what  he  burned  to  know. 
The  very  uncertainty  of  its  effect  added  to  the 
daring  of  the  deed ;  and,  while  he  talked,  he 


1 82       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

waited  to  see  how  it  would  affect  her,  well  know 
ing  that  in  such  a  temperament  as  hers  all 
processes  are  rapid.  For  an  hour  he  conversed 
so  delightfully  of  Rome  and  its  wonders,  that 
Gladys  was  amazed  to  find  Felix  had  come  in, 
unheard  for  once. 

All  through  dinner  she  brightened  steadily, 
thinking  the  happy  mood  was  brought  .by  her 
prodigal's  return,  quite  forgetting  Helwyze  and 
his  bitter-sweet  bonbons. 

"  I  shall  stay  at  home,  and  enjoy  the  society  of 
my  pretty  wife.  What  have  you  done  to  make 
yourself  so  beautiful  to-night  ?  Is  it  the  new 
gown  ? "  asked  Canaris,  surveying  her  with 
laughing  but  most  genuine  surprise  and  satisfac 
tion  as  they  returned  to  the  drawing-room  again. 

"  It  is  not  new :  I  made  it  long  ago,  to  please 
you,  but  you  never  noticed  it  before,"  answered 
Gladys,  glancing  at  the  pale-hued  dress,  all 
broad,  soft  folds  from  waist  to  ankle,  with  its 
winter  trimming  of  swan's  down  at  the  neck 
and  wrists  ;  simple,  but  most  becoming  to  her 
flower-like  face  and  girlish  figure. 

"  What  cruel  blindness !  But  I  see  and  ad 
mire  it  now,  and  honestly  declare  that  not  Olivia 
in  .all  her  splendor  is  arrayed  so  much  to  my 
taste  as  you,  my  Sancta  Simplicitas." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        183 

"  It  is  pleasant  to  hear  you  say  so  ;  but  that 
alone  does  not  make  me  happy:  it  must  be 
having  you  at  home  all  to  myself  again,"  she 
whispered,  with  shining  eyes,  cheeks  that  glowed 
with  a  deeper  rose  each  hour,  and  an  indescriba 
bly  blest  expression  in  a  face  which  now  was 
both  brilliant  and  dreamy. 

Helwyze  heard  what  she  said,  and,  fearing  to 
lose  sight  of  her,  promptly  challenged  Canaris 
to  chess,  a  favorite  pastime  with  them  both.  For 
an  hour  they  played,  well  matched  and  keenly 
interested,  while  Gladys  sat  by,  already  tasting 
the  restful  peace,  the  delicious  dreams?  promised 
her. 

The  clock  was  on  the  stroke  of  eight,  the 
game  was  nearly  over,  when  a  quick  ring  arrested 
Helwyze  in  the  act  of  making  the  final  move. 
There  was  a  stir  in  the  hall,  then,  bringing  with 
her  a  waft  of  fresh,  damp  air,  Olivia  appeared, 
brave  in  purple  silk  and  Roman  gold. 

"  I  thought  you  were  all  asleep  or  dead  ;  but 
now  I  see  the  cause  of  this  awful  silence,"  she 
cried.  "Don't  speak,  don't  stir;  let  me  enjoy 
the  fine  tableau  you  make.  Retsch's  '  Game  of 
Life,'  quite  perfect,  and  most  effective." 

It  certainly  was  to  an  observer ;  for  Canaris, 
flushed  and  eager,  looked  the  young  man  to  the 


1 84       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

life  ;  Helwyze,  calm  but  intent,  with  his  finger 
on  his  lip,  pondering  that  last  fateful  move, 
was  an  excellent  Satan  ;  and  behind  them  stood 
Gladys,  wonderfully  resembling  the  wistful  angel, 
with  that  new  brightness  on  her  face. 

"  Which  wins  ?  "  asked  Olivia,  rustling  toward 
them,  conscious  of  having  made  an  impressive 
entrance;  for  both  men  looked  up  to  welcome 
her,  though  Gladys  never  lifted  her  eyes  from 
the  mimic  battle  Felix  seemed  about  to  lose. 

"  I  do,  as  usual,"  answered  Helwyze,  turning 
to  finish  the  game  with  the  careless  ease  of  a 
victor. 

"  Not  this  time ; "  and  Gladys  touched  a  piece 
which  Canaris  in  the  hurry  of  the  moment  was 
about  to  overlook.  He  saw  its  value  at  a  glance, 
made  the  one  move  that  could  save  him,  and  in 
an  instant  cried  "  Checkmate,"  with  a  laugh  of 
triumph. 

"  Not  fair,  the  angel  interfered,"  said  Olivia, 
shaking  a  warning  finger  at  Gladys,  who  echoed 
her  husband's  laugh  with  one  still  more  exultant, 
as  she  put  her  hand  upon  his  shoulder,  saying,  in 
a  low,  intense  voice  never  heard  from  her  lips 
before,  — 

"  I  have  won  him  ;  he  is  mine,  and  cannot  be 
taken  from  me  any  more." 


•     A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.         185 

"  Dearest  child,  no  one  wants  him,  except  to 
play  with  and  admire/"  began  Olivia,  rather 
startled  by  the  look  and  manner  of  the  lately 
meek,  mute  Gladys. 

Here  Helwyze  struck  in,  anxious  to  avert 
Olivia's  attention  ;  for  her  undesirable  presence 
disconcerted  him,  since  her  woman's  wit  might 
discover  what  it  was  easy  to  conceal  from  Ca- 
naris. 

"  You  have  come  to  entertain  us,  like  the  ami 
able  enchantress  that  you  are  ? "  he  asked,  sug 
gestively  ;  for  nothing  charmed  Olivia  more 
than  permission  to  amuse  him,  when  others 
failed. 

"  I  have  a  thought,  —  a  happy  thought,  —  if 
Gladys  will  help  me.  You  have  given  me  one 
living  picture :  I  will  give  you  others,  and  she 
shall  sing  the  scenes  we  illustrate." 

"  Take  Felix,  and  give  us  '  The  God  and  the 
Bayadere,'  "  said  Helwyze,  glancing  at  the  young 
pair  behind  them,  he  intent  upon  their  con 
versation,  she  upon  him.  "  No,  I  will  have 
only  Gladys.  You  will  act  and  sing  for  us,  I 
know  ? "  and  Olivia  turned  to  her  with  a  most 
engaging  smile. 

"  I  never  acted  in  my  life,  but  I  will  try.  I 
think  I  should  like  it  for  I  feel  as  if  I  could  do 


1 86       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

any  thing  to-night ; "  and  she  came  to  them 
with  a  swift  step,  an  eager  air,  as  if  longing  to 
find  some  outlet  for  the  strange  energy  which 
seemed  to  thrill  every  nerve  and  set  her  heart 
to  beating  audibly. 

"  You  look  so.  Do  you  know  all  these 
songs  ? "  asked  Olivia,  taking  up  the  book 
which  had  suggested  her  happy  thought. 

"  There  are  but  four  :  I  know  them  all.  I  will 
gladly  sing  them  ;  for  I  set  them  to  music,  if  they 
had  none  of  their  own  already.  I  often  do  that 
to  those  Felix  writes  me." 

"  Come,  then.  I  want  the  key  of  the  great 
press,  where  you  keep  your  spoils,  Jasper." 

"  Mrs.  Bland  will  give  it  you.  Order  what  you 
will,  if  you  are  going  to  treat  us  to  an  Arabian 
Night's  entertainment." 

"  Better  than  that.  We  are  going  to  teach  a 
small  poet,  by  illustrating  the  work  of  a  great 
one  ; "  and,  with  a  mischievous  laugh,  Olivia  van 
ished,  beckoning  Gladys  to  follow. 

The  two  men  beguiled  the  time  as  best  they 
might :  Canaris  playing  softly  to  himself  in  the 
music-room  ;  Helwyze  listening  intently  to  the 
sounds  that  came  from  behind  the  curtains,  now 
dropped  over  a  double  door-way  leading  to  the 
lower  end  of  the  hall.  Olivia's  imperious  voice 


A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        187 

was  heard,  directing  men  and  maids.  More  than 
once  an  excited  laugh  from  Gladys  jarred  upon 
his  ear ;  and,  as  minute  after  minute  passed,  his 
impatience  to  see  her  again  increased. 


1 88       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 


XIII. 

A  FTER  what  would  have  'seemed  a  wonder 
fully  short  time  to  a  more  careless  waiter, 
three  blows  were  struck,  in  the  French  fashion, 
and  Canaris  had  barely  time  to  reach  his  place, 
when  the  deep  blue  curtains  slid  noiselessly 
apart,  showing  the  visible  portion  of  the  hall,  ar 
ranged  to  suggest  a  mediaeval  room.  An  easy 
task,  when  a  suit  of  rusty  armor  already  stood 
there ;  and  Helwyze  had  brought  spoils  from  all 
quarters  of  the  globe,  in  the  shape  of  old  furni 
ture,  tapestry,  weapons,  and  trophies  of  many  a 
wild  hunt. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  whispered  Canaris  eagerly. 

"  An  Idyl  of  the  King." 

"  I  see  :  the  first.     How  well  they  look  it ! " 

They  did ;  Olivia,  as 

"  An  ancient  dame  in  dim  brocade  ; 
And  near  her,  like  a  blossom,  vermeil-white, 
That  lightly  breaks  a  faded  flower-sheath, 
Stood  the  fair  Enid,  all  in  faded  silk." 

Gladys,  clad  in   a  quaint  costume  of  tarnished 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        189 

gray  and  silver  damask,  singing,  in  "  the  sweet 
voice  of  a  bird,"  — 

'*  Turn,  Fortune,  turn  thy  wheel,  and  lower  the  proud ; 
Turn  thy  wild  wheel  through  sunshine,  storm,  and  cloud ; 
Thy  wheel  and  thee  we  neither  love  nor  hate. 

"  Turn,  Fortune,  turn  thy  wheel  with  smile  and  frown  ; 
With  that  wild  wheel  we  go  not  up  nor  down ; 
Our  hoard  is  little,  but  our  hearts  are  great. 

"  Smile  and  we  smile,  the  lords  of  many  lands  ; 
Frown  and  we  smile,  the  lords  of  our  own  hands ; 
For  man  is  man  and  master  of  his  fate. 

"  Turn,  turn  thy  wheel  above  the  staring  crowd  ; 
Thy  wheel  and  thou  art  shadows  in  the  cloud ; 
Thy  wheel  and  thee  we  neither  love  nor  hate." 

There  was  something  inexpressibly  touching 
in  the  way  Gladys  gave  the  words,  which  had 
such  significance  addressed  to  those  who  list 
ened  so  intently,  that  they  nearly  forgot  to  pay 
the  tribute  which  all  actors,  the  greatest  as  the 
least,  desire,  when  the  curtain  dropped,  and  the 
song  was  done. 

"A  capital  idea  of  Olivia's,  and  beautifully 
carried  out.  This  promises  to  be  pleasant ; " 
and  Helwyze  sat  erect  upon  the  divan,  where 
Canaris  came  to  lounge  beside  him. 

"Which  comes  next?  I  don't  remember. 
If  it  is  Vivien,  they  will  have  to  skip  it,  unless 


190       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

they  call  you  in  for  Merlin,"  he  said,  talking 
gayly,  because  a  little  conscience-stricken  by 
the  look  Gladys  wore,  as  she  sung,  with  her  eyes 
upon  him,  — 

"Our  hoard  is  little,  but  our  hearts  are  great." 

"  They  will  not  want  a  Merlin ;  for  Gladys 
could  not  act  Vivien,  if  she  would,"  answered 
Helwyze,  tapping  restlessly  as  he  waited. 

"  She  said  she  could  do  'any  thing'  to-night ; 
and,  upon  my  life,  she  looked  as  if  she  might  even 
beguile  you  '  mighty  master,'  of  your  strongest 
spell." 

"  She  will  never  try." 

But  both  were  mistaken  ;  for,  when  they 
looked  again,  the  dim  light  showed  a  dark  and 
hooded  shape,  with  glittering  eyes  and  the 
semblance  of  a  flowing,  hoary  beard,  leaning 
half-hidden  in  a  bower  of  tall  shrubs  from  the 
conservatory.  It  was  Olivia,  as  Merlin  ;  and, 
being  of  noble  proportions,  she  looked  the 
part  excellently.  Upon  the  wizard's  knee  sat 
Vivien,  — 

"A  twist  of  gold  was  round  her  hair ; 
A  robe  of  samite  without  price,  that  more  exprest 
Than  hid  her,  clung  about  her  lissome  limbs, 
In  color  like  the  satin-shining  palm 
On  sallows  in  the  windy  gleams  of  March." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       191 

In  any  other  mood,  Gladys  would  never  have 
consented  to  be  loosely  clad  in  a  great  mantle 
of  some  Indian  fabric,  which  shimmered  like 
woven  light,  with  its  alternate  stripes  of  gold- 
covered  silk  and  softest  wool.  Shoulders  and  arms 
showed  rosy  white  under  the  veil  of  hair  which 
swept  to  her  knee,  as  she  clung  there,  singing 
sweet  and  low,  with  eyes  on  Merlin's  face,  lips 
near  his  own,  and  head  upon  his  breast :  — 

"In  Love,  if  Love  be  Love,  if  Love  be  ours, 
Faith  and  unfaith  can  ne'er  be  equal  powers ; 
Unfaith  in  aught  is  want  of  faith  in  all. 

"  It  is  the  little  rift  within  the  lute 
That  by  and  by  will  make  the  music  mute, 
And  ever  widening,  slowly  silence  all. 

•  'The  little  rift  within  the  lover's  lute, 
Or  little  pitted  speck  in  garner'd  fruit, 
That,  rotting  inward,  slowly  moulders  all. 

"  It  is  not  worth  the  keeping  :  let  it  go  : 
But  shall  it  ?     Answer,  darling,  answer  'No  ; ' 
And  trust  me  not  at  all  or  all  in  all." 

There  Gladys  seemed  to  forget  her  part,  and, 
turning,  stretched  her  arms  towards  her  hus 
band,  as  if  in  music  she  had  found  a  tongue  to 
plead  her  cause.  The  involuntary  gesture  re 
called  to  her  that  other  verse  which  Vivien 
added  to  her  song ;  and  something  impelled  her 
to  sing  it,  standing  erect,  with  face,  figure,  voice 


IQ2       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

all  trembling  with  the  strong  emotion  that  sud 
denly  controlled  her :  — 

"  My  name,  once  mine,  now  thine,  is  closelier  mine, 
For  fame,  could  fame  be  mine,  that  fame  were  thine ; 
And  shame,  could  shame  be  thine,  that  shame  were  mine ; 
So  trust  me  not  at  all  or  all  in  all." 

Down  fell  the  curtain  there,  and  the  two  men 
looked  at  one  another  in  silence  for  an  instant, 
dazzled,  troubled,  and  surprised  ;  for  in  this 
brilliant,  impassioned  creature  they  did  not 
recognize  the  Gladys  they  believed  they  knew 
so  well. 

"What  possessed  her  to  sing  that  ?  She  is  so 
unlike  herself,  I  do  not  know  her,"  said  Canaris, 
excited  by  the  discoveries  he  was  making. 

"  She  is  inspired  to-night ;  so  be  prepared  for 
any  thing.  These  women  will  work  wonders, 
they  are  acting  to  the  men  they  love,"  answered 
Helwyze,  warily,  yet  excited  also  ;  because,  for 
him,  a  double  drama  was  passing  on  that  little 
stage,  and  he  found  it  marvellously  fascinating. 

"  I  never  knew  how  beautiful  she  was ! " 
mused  Canaris,  half  aloud,  his  eyes  upon  the 
blue  draperies  which  hid  her  from  his  sight. 

"You  never  saw  her  in  such  gear  before. 
Splendor  suits  her  present  mood,  as  well  as  sim 
plicity  becomes  her  usual  self-restraint.  *  You 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       193 

have  made  her  jealous,  and  your  angel  will  prove 
herself  a  woman,  after  all." 

"  Is  that  the  cause  of  this  sudden  change  in 
her  ?  Then  I  don't  regret  playing  truant,  for 
the  woman  suits  me  better  than  the  angel," 
cried  Canaris,  conscious  that  the  pale  affection 
he  had  borne  his  wife  so  long  was  already  glow 
ing  with  new  warmth  and  color,  in  spite  of  his 
seeming  neglect. 

"Wait  till  you  see  Olivia  as  Guinevere.  I 
know  she  cannot  resist  that  part,  and  I  suspect 
she  is  willing  to  efface  herself  so  far  that  she 
may  take  us  by  storm  by  and  by." 

Helwyze  prophesied  truly ;  and,  when  next 
the  curtains  parted,  the  stately  Queen  sat  in  the 
nunnery  of  Almesbury,  with  the  little  novice  at 
her  feet.  Olivia  was  right  splendid  now,  for  her 
sumptuous  beauty  well  became  the  costly  stuffs 
in  which  she  had  draped  herself  with  the  grace 
ful  art  of  a  woman  whose  physical  loveliness  was 
her  best  possession.  A  trifle  too  gorgeous,  per 
haps,  for  the  repentant  Guinevere  ;  but  a  most 
grand  and  gracious  spectacle,  nevertheless,  as 
she  leaned  in  the  tall  carved  chair,  with  jew 
elled  arms  lying  languidly  across  her  lap,  and 
absent  eyes  still  full  of  love  and  longing  for  lost 
Launcelot. 


194       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

Gladys,  in  white  wimple  and  close-folded  gown 
of  gray,  sat  on  a  stool  beside  the  "  one  low  light/ 
humming  softly,  her  rosary  fallen  at  her  feet,  — 

"  the  Queen  looked  up,  and  said, 
'  O  maiden,  if  indeed  you  list  to  sing 
Sing,  and  unbind  my  heart,  that  I  may  weep. 
Whereat  full  willingly  sang  the  little  maid, 

Late,  late,  so  late  !  and  dark  the  night  and  chill  ! 
Late,  late,  so  late  !  but  we  can  enter  still. 
Too  late  !  too  late  !   ye  cannot  enter  now. 

No  light  had  we  :  for  that  we  do  repent, 
And,  learning  this,  the  bridegroom  will  relent. 
Too  late  !  too  late  !  ye  cannot  enter  now. 

No  light,  so  late  !  and  dark  and  chill  the  night  I 
O  let  us  in,  that  we  may  find  the  light ! 
Too  late  !  too  late  !  ye  cannot  enter  now. 

Have  we  not  heard  the  bridegroom  is  so  sweet  ? 
O  let  us  in,  tho'  late,  to  kiss  his  feet ! 
No,  no,  too  late !  ye  cannot  enter  now." 

Slowly  the  proud  head  had  drooped,  the  statel) 
figure  sunk,  till,  as  the  last  lament  died  away, 
nothing  remained  of  splendid  Guinevere  but  a 
hidden  face,  a  cloud  of  black  hair  from  which 
the  crown  had  fallen,  a  heap  of  rich  robes  quiver 
ing  with  the  stormy  sobs  of  a  guilty  woman's 
smitten  heart.  The  curtains  closed  on  this 
tableau,  which  was  made  the  more  effective  by 
the  strong  contrast  between  the  despairing 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        1 95 

Queen  and  the  little  novice  telling  her  beads  in 
meek  dismay. 

"  Good  .heavens,  that  sounded  like  the  wail  of 
a  lost  soul !  My  blood  runs  cold,  and  I  feel  as  if 
I  ought  to  say  my  prayers,"  muttered  Canaris, 
with  a  shiver  ;  for,  with  his  susceptible  tempera 
ment,  music  always  exerted  over  him  an  almost 
painful  power. 

"  If  you  knew  any,"  sneered  Helwyze,  whose 
eyes  now  glittered  with  something  stronger  than 
excitement. 

"  I  do :  Gladys  taught  me,  and  I  am  not 
ashamed  to  own  it." 

"  Much  good  may  it  do  you."  Then,  in  a 
quieter  tone,  he  asked,  "  Is  there  any  song  in 
'  Elaine '  ?  I  forget ;  and  that  is  the  only  one  we 
have  not  had." 

"  There  is  '  The  Song  of  Love  and  Death.' 
Gladys  was  learning  it  lately ;  and,  if  I  remem 
ber  rightly,  it  was  heart-rending.  I  hope  she 
will  not  sing  it,  for  this  sort  of  thing  is  rather 
too  much  for  me ; "  and  Canaris  got  up  to  wander 
aimlessly  about,  humming  the  gayest  airs  he 
knew,  as  if  to  drown  the  sorrowful  "Too  late  ! 
too  late  ! "  still  wailing  in  his  ear. 

By  this  time  Gladys  was  no  longer  quite  her 
self  :  an  inward  excitement  possessed  her,  a  wild 


196       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

desire  to  sing  her  very  heart  out  came  over  her, 
and  a  strange  chill,  which  she  thought  a  vague 
presentiment  of  coming  ill,  crept  through  her 

'blood.  Every  thing  seemed  vast  and  awful ; 
every  sense  grew  painfully  acute ;  and  she  walked 
as  in  a  dream,  so  vivid,  yet  so  mysterious,  that 
she  did  not  try  to  explain  it  even  to  herself.  Her 

•  identity  was  doubled  :  one  Gladys  moved  and 
spoke  as  she  was  told,  —  a  pale,  dim  figure,  of 
no  interest  to  any  one ;  the  other  was  alive  in 
every  fibre,  thrilled  with  intense  desire  for  some 
thing,  and  bent  on  finding  it,  though  deserts, 
oceans,  and  boundless  realms  of  air  were  passed 
to  gain  it.  , 

Olivia  wondered  at  her  unsuspected  power, 
and  felt  a  little  envious  of  her  enchanting  gift. 
But  she  was  too  absorbed  in  "  setting  the  stage," 
dressing  her  prima  donna,  and  planning  how  to 
end  the  spectacle  with  her  favorite  character  of 
Cleopatra,  to  do  more  than  observe  that  Gladys's 
eyes  were  luminous  and  large,  her  face  growing 
more  and  more  colorless,  her  manner  less  and 
less  excited,  yet  unnaturally  calm. 

"  This  is  the  last,  and  you  have  the  stage 
alone.  Do  your  best  for  Felix;  then  you  shall 
rest  and  be  thanked,"  she  whispered,  somewhat 
anxiously,  as  she  placed  Elaine  in  her  tower, 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        197 

leaning  against  the  dark  screen,  which  was  un 
folded,  to  suggest  the  casement  she  flung  back 
when  Launcelot  passed  below, — 

"  And  glanced  not  up,  nor  waved  his  hand, 
Nor  bade  farewell,  but  sadly  rode  away." 

The  "lily  maid  of  Astolat "  could  not  have  looked 
more  wan  and  weird  than  Gladys,  as  she  stood 
in  her  trailing  robes  of  dead  white,  with  loosely 
gathered  locks,  hands  clasped  over  the  gay  bit  of 
tapestry  which  simulated  the  cover  of  the  shield, 
eyes  that  seemed  to  see  something  invisible  to 
those  about  her,  and  began  her  song,  in  a  veiled 
voice,  at  once  so  sad  and  solemn,  that  Helwyze 
held  his  breath,  and  Canaris  felt  as  if  she  called 
him  from  beyond  the  grave  :  — 

"  Sweet  is  true  love,  tho'  given  in  vain,  in  vain ; 
And  sweet  is  death,  who  puts  an  end  to  pain ; 
I  know  not  which  is  sweeter,  no,  not  I. 

Love,  art  thou  sweet  ?  then  bitter  death  must  be ; 
Love,  thou  art  bitter ;  sweet  is  death  to  me. 

0  Love,  if  death  be  sweeter,  let  me  die. 

Sweet  love,  that  seems  not  made  to  fade  away, 
Sweet  death,  that  seenis  to  make  us  loveless  clay, 

1  know  not  which  is  sweeter,  no,  not  I. 

I  fain  would  follow  love,  if  that  could  be ; 
I  needs  must  follow  death,  who  calls  for  me : 
Call  and  I  follow,  I  follow  !  let  me  die  !  " 


198       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

Carried  beyond  self-control  by  the  unsuspected 
presence  of  the  drug,  which  was  doing  its  work 
with  perilous  rapidity,  Gladys,  remembering  only 
that  the  last  line  should  be  sung  with  force,  and 
that  she  sung  for  Felix,  obeyed  the  wild  impulse 
to  let  her  voice  rise  and  ring  out  with  a  shrill, 
despairing  power  and  passion,  which  startled 
every  listener,  and  echoed  through  the  room,  like 
Elaine's  unearthly  cry  of  hapless  love  and  death. 

Olivia  dropped  her  asp,  terrified  ;  the  maids 
stared,  uncertain  whether  it  was  acting  or  insan 
ity  ;  and  Helwyze  sprung  up  aghast,  fearing  that 
he  had  dared  too  much.  But  Canaris,  seeing 
only  the  wild,  woful  eyes  fixed  on  his,  the  hands 
wrung  as  if  in  pain,  forgot  every  thing  but 
Gladys,  and  rushed  between  the  curtains,  ex 
claiming  in  real  terror, — 

"  Don't  look  so !  don't  sing  so !  my  God,  she 
is  dying ! " 

Not  dying,  only  slipping  fast  into  the  uncon 
scious  stage  of  the  hasheesh  dream,  whose  coming 
none  can  foretell  but  those  accustomed  to  its 
use.  Pale  and  quiet  she  lay  in  her  husband's 
arms,  with  half-open  eyes  and  fluttering  breath, 
smiling  up  at  him  so  strangely  that  he  was 
bewildered  as  well  as  panic-stricken.  Olivia 
forgot  her  Cleopatra  to  order  air  and  water ;  the 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       199 

maids  flew  for  sails  and  wine;  Helwyze  with 
difficulty  hid  his  momentary  dismay ;  while  Ca- 
naris,  almost  beside  himself,  could  only  hang 
over  the  couch  where  lay  "  the  lily-maid,"  looking 
as  if  already  dead,  and  drifting  down  to  Camelot. 

"  Gladys,  do  you  know  me  ? "  he  cried,  as  a 
little  color  came  to  her  lips  after  the  fiery 
draught  Olivia  energetically  administered. 

The  eyes  opened  wider,  the  smile  grew 
brighter,  and  she  lifted  her  hand  to  bring  him 
nearer,  for  he  seemed  immeasurably  distant. 

"  Felix  !  Let  me  be  still,  quite  still ;  I  want 
to  sleep.  Good-night,  good-night." 

She  thought  she  kissed  him  ;  then  his  face 
receded,  vanished,  and,  as  she  floated  buoyantly 
away  upon  the  first  of  the  many  oceans  to  be 
crossed  in  her  mysterious  quest,  a  far-off  voice 
seemed  to  say,  solemnly,  as  if  in  a  last  fare 
well,  — 

"  Hush  !  let  her  sleep  in  peace." 

It  was  Helwyze  ;  and,  having  felt  her  pulse,  he 
assured  them  all  that  she  was  only  over-excited, 
must  rest  an  hour  or  two,  and  would  soon  be 
quite  herself  again.  So  the  brief  panic  ended 
quietly  ;  and,  having  lowered  the  lights,  spread 
Guinevere's  velvet  -mantle  over  her,  and  re 
assured  themselves  that  she  was  sleeping  calmly, 


200       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

the  women  went  to  restore  order  to  ante-room 
and  hall,  Canaris  sat  down  to  watch  beside 
Gladys,  and  Helwyze  betook  himself  to  the 
library. 

"Is  she  still  sleeping?"  he  asked,  with  un- 
concealable  anxiety,  when  Olivia  joined  him 
there. 

"Like  a  baby.  What  a  high-strung  little 
thing  it  is.  If  she  had  strength  to  bear  the 
training,  she  would  make  a  cantatrice  to  be 
proud  of,  Jasper." 

"  Ah,  but  she  never  would  !  Fancy  that  mod 
est  creature  on  a  stage  for  all  the  world  to  gape 
at.  She  was  happiest  in  the  nun's  gown  to 
night,  though  simply  ravishing  as  Vivien.  The 
pretty,  bare  feet  were  most  effective ;  but  how 
did  you  persuade  her  to  it  ? " 

"  I  had  no  sandals  as  a  compromise :  I  there 
fore  insisted  that  the  part  must  be  so  dressed  or 
undressed,  and  she  submitted.  People  usually 
do,  when  I  command." 

"  She  was  on  her  mettle :  I  could  see  that ; 
and  well  she  might  be,  with  you  for  a  rival.  I 
give  you  my  word,  Olivia,  if  I  did  not  know  you 
were  nearly  forty,  I  should  swear  it  was  a  lie  ; 
for  'age  cannot  wither  nor  custom  stale'  my 
handsome  Cleopatra.  We  ought  to  have  had 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       2OI 

that,  by  the  by :  it  used  to  be  your  best  bit.  I 
could  not  be  your  Antony,  but  Felix  might :  he 
adores  costuming,  and  would  do  it  capitally." 

'"  Not  old  enough.  Ah !  what  happy  times 
those  were ; "  and  Olivia  sighed  sincerely,  yet 
dramatically,  for  she  knew  she  was  looking 
wonderfully  well,  thrown  down  upon  a  couch, 
with  her  purple  skirts  sweeping  about  her,  and 
two  fine  arms  banded  with  gold  clasped  over  her 
dark  head. 

Helwyze  had  flattered  with  a  purpose.  Canans 
was  in  the  way,  Gladys  might  betray  herself, 
and  all  was  not  safe  yet ;  though  in  one  respect 
the  experiment  had  succeeded  admirably,  for  he 
still  tingled  with  the  excitement  of  the  evening. 
Now  he  wanted  help,  not  sentiment,  and,  ignor 
ing  the  sigh,  said,  carelessly,  — 

"  If  all  obey  when  you  insist,  just  make  Felix 
go  home  with  you.  The  drive  will  do  him  good, 
for  he  is  as  nervous  as  a  woman,  and  I  shall 
have  him  fidgeting  about  all  night,  unless  he  for 
gets  his  fright." 

"  But  Gladys  ?  " 

"  She  will  be  the  better  for  a  quiet  nap,  and 
ready,  by  the  time  he  returns,  to  laugh  at  her 
heroics.     He  will  only  disturb   her   if   he   sits 
there,  like  a  mourner  at  a  death-bed." 
9* 


202       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  That  sounds  sensible  and  friendly,  and  you 
do  it  very  well,  Jasper ;  but  I  am  impressed  that 
something  is  amiss.  What  is  it  ?  Better  tell 
me  ;  I  shall  surely  find  it  out,  and  will  not  work 
in  the  dark.  .1  see  mischief  in  your  eyes,  and 
you  cannot  deceive  me." 

Olivia  spoke  half  in  jest;  but  she  had  so  often 
seen  his  face  without  a  mask,  that  it  was  difficult 
to  wear  one  in  her  presence.  He  frowned,  hesi 
tated,  then  fearing  she  would  refuse  the  favor  if 
he  withheld  the  secret,  he  leaned  towards  her 
and  answered  in  a  whisper, — 

"  I  gave  Gladys  hasheesh,  and  do  not  care  to 
have  Felix  know  it." 

"  Jasper,  how   dared  you  ? " 

"  She  was  restless,  suffering  for  sleep.  I  know 
what  that  is,  and  out  of  pity  gave  her  the 
merest  taste.  Upon  my  honor,  no  more  than  a 
child  might  safely  take.  She  did  not  know" 
what  it  was,  and  I  thought  she  would  only  feel 
its  soothing  charm.  She  would,  if  it  had  not 
been  for  this  masquerading.  I  did  not  count  on 
that,  and  it  was  too  much  for  her." 

"  Will  she  not  surfer  from  the  after-effects  ? " 

"  Not  a  whit,  if  she  is  let  alone.  An  hour 
hence  she  will  be  deliciously  drowsy,  and  to 
morrow  none  the  worse.  I  had  no  idea  it  would 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       203 

affect  her  so  powerfully ;  but  I  do  not  regret  it, 
for  it  showed  what  the  woman  is  capable  of." 

"  At  your  old  tricks.  You  will  never  learn  to 
let  your  fellow-creatures  alone,  till  something 
terrible  stops  you.  You  were  always  prying 
into  things,  even  as  a  boy,  when  I  caught  butter 
flies  for  you  to  look  at.1' 

"  I  never  killed  them  :  only  brushed  off  a  trifle 
of  the  gloss  by  my  touch,  and  let  them  go  again, 
none  the  worse,  except  for  the  loss  of  a  few  in 
visible  feathers." 

"Ah  !  but  that  delicate  plumage  is  the  glory  of 
the  insect ;  robbed  of  that,  its  beauty  is  marred. 
No  one  but  their  Maker  can  search  hearts  with 
out  harming  them.  I  wonder  how  it  will  fare 
with  yours  when  He  looks  for  its  perfection  ?  " 

Olivia  spoke  with  a  sudden  seriousness,  a 
yearning  look,  which  jarred  on  nerves  already 
somewhat  unstrung,  and  Helwyze  answered,  in 
a  mocking  tone  that  silenced  her  effectually,  — 

"  I  am  desperately  curious  to  know.  If  I  can 
come  and  tell  you,  I  will :  such  pious  interest 
deserves  that  attention." 

"Heaven  forbid!"  ejaculated  Olivia,  with  a 
shiver. 

"  Then  I  will  not,  I  have  been  such  a  poor 
ghost  here,  I  suspect  I  shall  be  glad  to  rest  eter 
nally  when  I  once  fall  asleep,  if  I  can." 


204      A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

Weary  was  his  voice,  weary  his  attitude,  as, 
leaning  an  elbow  on  either  knee,  he  propped  his 
chin  upon  his  hands,  and  sat  brooding  for  a 
moment  with  his  eyes  upon  the  ground,  asking 
himself  for  the  thousandth  time  the  great  ques 
tion  which  only  hope  and  faith  can  answer  truly. 

Olivia  rose.  "  You  are  tired  ;  so  am  I.  Good 
night,  Jasper,  and  pleasant  dreams.  But  remem 
ber,  no  more  tampering  with  Gladys,  or  I  must 
tell  her  husband." 

"  I  have  had  my  lesson.  Take  Felix  with  you, 
and  I  will  send  Mrs.  Bland  to  sit  with  her  till  he 
comes  back.  Good-night,  my  cousin ;  thanks 
for  a  glimpse  of  the  old  times."  Such  words, 
uttered  with  a  pressure  of  the  hand,  conquered 
Olivia's  last  scruple,  and  she  went  away  to  pre 
fer  her  request  in  a  form  which  made  it  impossi 
ble  for  Canaris  to  refuse.  Gladys  still  slept 
quietly.  The  distance  was  not  long,  the  fresh  air 
grateful,  Olivia  her  kindest  self,  and  he  obeyed, 
believing  that  the  motherly  old  woman  would 
take  his  place  as  soon  as  certain  housewifely 
duties  permitted. 

Then  Helwyze  did  an  evil  thing,  —  a  thing  few 
men  could  or  would  have  done.  He  deliberately 
violated  the  sanctity  of  a  human  soul,  robbing 
it  alike  of  its  most  secret  and  most  precious 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        2O5 

thoughts.  Hasheesh  had  lulled  the  senses  which 
guarded  the  treasure  •,  now  the  magnetism  of  a 
potent  will  forced  the  reluctant  lips  to  give  up 
the  key. 

Like  a  thief  he  stole  to  Gladys'  side,  took  in 
his  the  dimpled  hands  whose  very  childishness 
should  have  pleaded  for  her,  and  fixed  his  eyes 
upon  the  face  before  him,  untouched  by  its  help 
less  innocence,  its  unnatural  expression.  The 
half-open  eyes  were  heavy  as  dew-drunken 
violets,  the  sweet  red  mouth  was  set,  the  agi 
tated  bosom  still  rose  and  fell,  like  a  troubled  sea 
subsiding  after  storm. 

So  sitting,  stern  and  silent  as  the  fate  he  be 
lieved  in,  Helwyze  concentrated  every  power 
upon  the  accomplishment  of  the  purpose  to 
which  he  bent  his  will.  He  called  it  psychologi 
cal  curiosity  ;  for  not  even  to  himself  did  he  dare 
confess  the  true  meaning  of  the  impulse  which 
drove  him  to  this  act,  and  dearly  did  he  pay 
for  it. 

Soon  the  passive  palms  thrilled  in  his  own,  the 
breath  came  faint  and  slow,  color  died,  and  life 
seemed  to  recede  from  the  countenance,  leaving  a 
pale  effigy  of  the  woman  ;  lately  so  full  of  vitality. 
"  It  works  !  it  works  !  "  muttered  Helwyze,  lifting 
his  head  at  length  to  wipe  the  dampness  from 


206       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

his  brow,  and  send  a  piercing  glance  about  the 
shadowy  room.  Then,  kneeling  down  beside  the 
couch,  he  put  his  lips  to  her  ear,  whispering  in  a 
tone  of  still  command,  — 

"  Gladys,  do  you  hear  me  ? " 

Like  the  echo  of  a  voice,  so  low,  expression 
less,  and  distant  was  it,  the  answer  came,  — 

"  I  hear." 

"  Will  you  answer  me  ? " 

"  I  must." 

"  You  have  a  sorrow,  —  tell  it." 

"All  is  so  false.  I  am  unhappy  without 
confidence,"  sighed  the  voice. 

"  Can  you  trust  no  one  ? " 

"  No  one  here,  but  Felix." 

"  Yet  he  deceives,  he  does  not  love  you." 

"  He  will." 

"  Is  this  the  hope  which  sustains  you  ? " 

"  Yes." 

"  And  you  forgive,  you  love  him  still  ?" 

"  Always." 

"  If  the  hope  fails  ? " 

"  It  will  not :  I  shall  have  help." 

"  What  help  ? " 

No  answer  now,  but  the  shadow  of  a  smile 
seemed  to  float  across  the  silent  lips  as  if  re 
flected  from  a  joy  too  deep  and  tender  for 
speech  to  tell. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       207 

"  Speak !  what  is  this  happiness  ?  The  hope 
of  freedom  ? " 

"  It  will  come." 

"How?" 

"  When  you  die." 

He  caught  his  breath,  and  for  an  instant 
seemed  daunted  by  the  truth  he  had  evoked  ; 
for  it  was  terrible,  so  told,  so  heard. 

"  You  hate  me,  then  ?  "  he  whispered,  almost 
fiercely,  in  the  ear  that  never  shrank  from  his 
hot  lips. 

"  I  doubt  and  dread  you." 

"  Why,  Gladys,  why  ?     To  you  I  am  not  cruel." 

"  Too  kind,  alas,  too  kind  ! " 

"  And  yet  you  fear  me  ? " 

"  God  help  us.     Yes." 

"  What  is  your  fear  ? " 

"  No,  no,  I  will  not  tell  it !  " 

Some  inward  throe  of  shame  or  anguish 
turned  the  pale  face  paler,  knotted  the  brow, 
and  locked  the  lips,  as  if  both  soul  and  body 
revolted  from  the  thought  thus  ruthlessly 
dragged  to  light.  Instinct,  the  first,  last,  strong 
est  impulse  of  human  nature,  struggled  blindly 
to  save  the  woman  from  betraying  the  dread 
which  haunted  her  heart  like  a  spectre,  and 
burned  her  lips  in  the  utterance  of  its  name. 


208       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

But  Helwyze  was  pitiless,  his  will  indomitable  ; 
his  eye  held,  his  hand  controlled,  his  voice  com 
manded  ;  and  the  answer  came,  so  reluctantly, 
so  inaudibly,  that  he  seemed  to  divine,  not 
hear  it. 

"What  fear?" 

"  Your  love." 

"  You  see,  you  know  it,  then  ? " 

"  I  do  not  see,  I  vaguely  feel ;  I  pray  God  I 
may  never  know." 

With  the  involuntary  recoil  of  a  guilty  joy, 
a  shame  as  great,  Helwyze  dropped  the  nerve 
less  hands,  turned  from  the  mutely  accusing 
face,  let  the  troubled  spirit  rest,  and  asked  no 
more.  But  his  punishment  began  as  he  stood 
there,  finding  the  stolen  truth  a  heavier  burden 
than  baffled  doubt  or  desire  had  been ;  since  for 
bidden  knowledge  was  bitter  to  the  taste,  for 
bidden  love  possessed  no  sweetness,  and  the 
hidden  hope,  putting  off  its  well-worn  disguise, 
confronted  him  in  all  its  ugliness. 

An  awesome  silence  filled  the  room,  until  he 
lifted  up  his  eyes,  and  looked  at  Gladys  with  a 
look  which  would  have  wrung  her  heart  could 
she  have  seen  it.  She  did  not  see ;  for  she  lay 
there  so  still,  so  white,  so  dead,  he  seemed  to 
have  scared  away  the  soul  he  had  vexed  with  his 
impious  questioning. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.      2OQ 

In  remorseful  haste,  Helwyze  busied  himself 
about  her,  till  she  woke  from  that  sleep  within  a 
sleep,  moaned  wearily,  closed  the  unseeing  eyes, 
and  drifted  away  into  more  natural  slumber, 
dream-haunted,  but  deep  and  quiet. 

Then  he  stole  away  as  he  had  come,  and,  send 
ing  the  old  woman  to  watch  Gladys,  shut  him 
self  into  his  own  room,  to  keep  a  vigil  which 
lasted  until  dawn  ;  for  all  the  poppies  of  the  East 
could  not  have  brought  oblivion  that  night. 


210       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 


XIV. 

TT  seemed  as  if  some  angel  had  Gladys  in 
especial  charge,  bringing  light  out  of  dark 
ness,  joy  out  of  sorrow,  good  out  of  evil ;  for  no 
harm  came  to  her,  —  only  a  great  peace,  which 
transfigured  her  face  till  it  was  as  spiritually 
beautiful,  as  that  of  some  young  Madonna. 

Waking  late  the  next  day  she  remembered 
little  of  the  past  night's  events,  and  cared  to  re 
member  little,  having  clearer  and  calmer  thoughts 
to  dwell  upon,  happier  dreams  to  enjoy. 

She  suspected  Helwyze  of  imprudent  kind 
ness,  but  uttered  no  reproach,  quite  unconscious 
of  how  much  she  had  to  forgive ;  thereby  inno 
cently  adding  to  both  the  relief  and  the  remorse 
he  felt.  The  doubt  and  dread  which  had  risen 
to  the  surface  at  his  command,  seemed  to  sink 
again  into  the  depths  ;  and  hope  and  love,  to  still 
the  troubled  waters  where  her  life-boat  rode  at 
anchor  for  a  time. 

Canaris,  as  if  tired  of  playing  truant,  was 
ready  now  to  be  forgiven  ;  more  conscious  than 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       211 

ever  before  that  this  young  wife  was  a  posses 
sion  to  be  proud  of,  since,  when  she  chose,  she 
could  eclipse  even  Olivia.  The  jealousy  which 
could  so  inspire  her  flattered  his  man's  vanity, 
and  made  her  love  more  precious  ;  for  not  yet  had 
he  learned  all  its  depth,  nor  how  to  be  worthy  of 
it.  The  reverence  he  had  always  felt  increased 
fourfold,  but  the  affection  began  to  burn  with  a 
stronger  flame  ;  and  Canaris,  for  the  first  time, 
tasted  the  pure  happiness  of  loving  another 
better  than  himself.  Glad  to  feel,  yet  ashamed 
to  own,  a  sentiment  whose  sincerity  made  it 
very  sweet,  he  kept  it  to  himself,  and  showed  no 
sign,  except  a  new  and  most  becoming  humility 
of  manner  when  with  Gladys,  as  if  silently  ask 
ing  pardon  for  many  shortcomings.  With  Hel- 
wyze  he  was  cold  and  distant,  evidently  dreading 
to  have  him  discover  the  change  he  had  foretold, 
and  feeling  as  if  his  knowledge  of  it  would  pro 
fane  the  first  really  sacred  emotion  the  young 
man  had  known  since  his  mother  died. 

Anxious  for  some  screen  behind  which  to 
hide  the  novel,  yet  most  pleasurable,  sensations 
which  beset  him,  he  found  Olivia  a  useful  friend, 
and  still  kept  up  some  semblance  of  the  admira 
tion,  out  of  which  all  dangerous  ardor  was  fast 
fading.  She  saw  this  at  once,  and  did  not 


212       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

regret  it :  for  she  had  a  generous  nature,  which 
an  all-absorbing  and  unhappy  passion  had  not 
entirely  spoiled. 

Obedience  to  Helwyze  was  her  delight ;  but, 
knowing  him  better  than  any  other  human  being 
could,  she  was  troubled  by  his  increasing  inter 
est  in  Gladys,  more  especially  since  discovering 
that  the  girl  possessed  the  originality,  fire,  and 
energy  which  were  more  attractive  to  him  than 
her  youth,  gentleness,  or  grace.  Jealousy  was 
stronger  than  the  desire  to  obey ;  and,  calling  it 
compassion,  Olivia  resolved  to  be  magnanimous, 
and  spare  Gladys  further  pain,  letting  Canaris 
return  to  his  allegiance,  as  he  seemed  inclined 
to  do,  unhindered  by  any  act  of  hers. 

"  The  poor  child  is  so  young,  so  utterly  unable 
to  cope  with  me,  it  is  doubly  cruel  to  torment 
her,  just  to  gratify  a  whim  of  Jasper's.  Better 
make  my  peace  handsomely,  and  be  her  friend, 
than  rob  her  of  the  only  treasure  she  possesses, 
since  I  do  not  covet  it,"  she  thought,  driving 
through  the  May-day  sunshine,  to  carry  Jasper  the 
earliest  sprays  of  white  and  rosy  hawthorn  from 
the  villa  garden,  whither  she  had  been  to  set  all 
in  order  for  the  summer. 

Helwyze  was  not  yet  visible  ;  and,  full  of  her 
new  design,  Olivia  hastened  up  to  find  Gladys, 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       213 

meaning  by  some  friendly  word,  some  unmis 
takable  but  most  delicate  hint,  to  reassure  her 
regarding  the  errant  young  husband,  whom  she 
had  not  yet  learned  to  hold. 

There  was  no  answer  to  her  hasty  tap,  and 
Olivia  went  in  to  seek  yet  further.  Half-way 
across  the  larger  apartment  she  paused  ab 
ruptly,  and  stood  looking  straight  before  her, 
with  a  face  which  passed  rapidly  from  its  first 
expression  of  good-will  to  one  of  surprise,  then 
softened,  till  tears  stood  in  the  brilliant  eyes, 
and  some  sudden  memory  or  thought  made  that 
usually  proud  countenance  both  sad  and  tender. 

Gladys  sat  alone  in  her  little  room,  her  work 
lying  on  her  knee,  her  arms  folded,  her  head  bent, 
singing  to  herself  as  she  rocked  to  and  fro,  lost 
in  some  reverie  that  made  her  lips  smile  faintly, 
and  her  voice  very  low.  She  often  sat  so  now, 
but  Olivia  had  never  seen  her  thus  ;  and,  seeing, 
divined  at  once  the  hope  which  lifted  her  above 
all  sorrow,  the  help  sent  by  Heaven,  when  most 
she  needed  it.  For  the  song  Gladys  sang  was  a 
lullaby,  the  look  she  wore  was  that  which  comes 
to  a  woman's  face  when  she  rocks  her  first-born 
on  her  knee,  and  above  her  head  was  a  new 
picture,  an  angel,  with  the  Lily  of  Annunciation 
in  its  hand. 


214       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

The  one  precious  memory  of  Olivia's  stormy 
life  was  the  little  daughter,  who  for  a  sweet, 
short  year  was  all  in  all  to  her,  and  whose  small 
grave  was  yearly  covered  with  the  first  spring 
flowers.  Fresh  from  this  secret  pilgrimage,  the 
woman's  nature  was  at  its  noblest  now ;  and 
seeing  that  other  woman,  so  young,  so  lonely, 
yet  so  blest,  her  heart  yearned  over  her,  — 

"  All  her  worser  self  slipped  from  her 
Like  a  robe,"  — 

and,  hurrying  in,  she  said,  impulsively,  — 
"  O  child,  I  wish  you  had  a  mother  !  " 
Gladys  looked  up,  unstartlecl   from  the  calm 
in  which  she  dwelt.     Olivia's  face  explained  her 
words,  and  she  answered  them  with  the  only  re 
proach  much  pain  had  wrung  from  her,  — 
"  You  might  have  been  one  to  me." 
"  It  is  riot  too  late !     What  shall  I  do  to  prove 
my  sincerity  ? "  cried  Olivia,  stricken  with  re 
morse. 

"  Help  me  to  give  my  little  child  an  honest 
father." 

"  I  will !  show  me  how." 

Then  these  two  women  spent  a  memorable 
hour  together;  for  the  new  tie  of  motherhood 
bridged  across  all  differences  of  age  and  charac 
ter,  made  confession  easy,  confidence  sweet, 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       21$ 

friendship  possible.  Yet,  after  all,  Gladys  was 
the  comforter,  Olivia  the  one  who  poured  out 
her  heart,  and  found  relief  in  telling  the  sorrows 
that  had  been,  the  temptations  that  still  beset 
her,  the  good  that  yet  remained  to  answer,  when 
the  right  chord  was  touched.  She  longed  to 
give  as  much  as  she  received ;  but  when  she 
had  owned,  with  a  new  sense  of  shame,  that  she 
was  merely  playing  with  Canaris  for  her  own 
amusement  (being  true  to  Helwyze  even  in  her 
falsehood),  there  seemed  no  more  for  her  to  do, 
since  Gladys  asked  but  one  other  question,  and 
that  she  could  not  answer. 

"  If  he  does  not  love  you,  and,  perhaps,  it  is  as 
you  say,  —  only  a  poet's  admiration  for  beauty, 
—  what  is  the  trouble  that  keeps  us  apart  ?  At 
first  I  was  too  blindly  happy  to  perceive  it  ;  now 
tears  have  cleared  my  eyes,  and  I  see  that  he 
hides  something  from  me,  —  something  which  he 
longs,  yet  dares  not  tell." 

"  I  know  :  I  saw  it  long  ago  ;  but  Jasper  alone 
can  tell  that  secret.  He  holds  Felix  by  it,  and 
I  fear  the  knowledge  would  be  worse  than  the 
suspicion.  Let  it  be  :  time  sets  all  things  right, 
and  it  is  ill  thwarting  my  poor  cousin.  I  have 
a  charming  plan  for  you  and  Felix  ;  and,  when 
you  have  him  to  yourself,  you  may  be  able  to 


2l6       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

win   his   confidence,  as,  I   am  sure,   you   have 
already  won  his  heart." 

Then  Olivia  told  her  plan,  which  was  both 
generous  and  politic  ;  since  it  made  Gladys  truly 
happy,  proved  her  own  sincerity,  secured  her 
own  peace  and  that  of  the  men  whose  lives 
seemed  to  become  more  and  more  inextricably 
tangled  together. 

"  Now  I  shall  go  to  Jasper,  and  conquer  all 
his  opposition  ;  for  I  know  I  am  right.  Dear 
little  creature,  what  is  it  about  you  that  makes 
one  feel  both  humble  and  strong  when  one  is 
near  you  ? "  asked  Olivia,  looking  down  at  Gladys 
with  a  hand  on  either  shoulder,  and  genuine 
wonder  in  the  eyes  still  soft  with  unwonted 
tears. 

"  God  made  me  truthful,  and  I  try  to  keep  so ; 
that  is  all,"  she  answered,  simply. 

"  That  is  enough.  Kiss  me,  Gladys,  and  make 
me  better.  I  am  not  good  enough  to  be  the 
mother  that  I  might  have  been  to  you  ;  but  I 
am  a  friend  ;  believe  that,  and  trust  me,  if  you 
can  ? " 

"I  do  ;  "  and  Gladys  sealed  her  confidence  with 
both  lips  and  hand. 

"Jasper,  I  have  invited  those  children  to 
spend  the  summer  at  the  villa,  since  you  have 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       2 1/ 

decided  for  the  sea.  Gladys  is  mortally  tired  of 
this  hot-house  life,  so  is  Felix  :  give  them  a  long 
holiday,  or  they  will  run  away  together.  Mrs. 
Bland  and  I  will  take  care  of  you  till  they  come 
back." 

Olivia  walked  in  upon  Helwyze  with  this 
abrupt  announcement,  well  knowing  that  per 
suasion  would  be  useless,  and  vigorous  measures 
surest  to  win  the  day.  Artful  as  well  as  cour 
ageous  in  her  assault,  she  answered  in  that  one 
speech  several  objections  against  her  plan,  and 
suggested  several  strong  reasons  for  it,  sure 
that  he  would  yield  the  first,  and  own  the 
latter. 

He  did,  with  unexpected  readiness  ;  for  a  mo 
tive  which  she  could  not  fathom  prompted  his 
seemingly  careless  acquiescence.  He  had  no 
thought  of  relinquishing  his  hold  on  Canaris, 
since  through  him  alone  he  held  Gladys  ;  but 
he  often  longed  to  escape  from  both  for  a  time, 
that  he  might  study  and  adjust  the  new  power 
which  had  come  into  his  life,  unbidden,  unde- 
sired.  Surprise  and  disappointment  were  al 
most  instantaneously  followed  by  a  sense  of 
relief  when  Olivia  spoke;  for  he  saw  at  once 
that  this  project  was  a  wiser  one  than  she 
knew. 

10 


21 8       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

Before  her  rapid  sentences  were  ended,  the 
thought  had  come  and  gone,  the  decision  was 
made,  and  he  could  answer,  in  a  tone  of  indiffer 
ence  which  both  pleased  and  perplexed  her,  — 

"Amiable  woman,  with  what  helpful  aspira 
tions  are  you  blest.  Seeing  your  failure  with 
Felix,  I  have  been  wondering  how  I  should  get 
rid  of  him  till  he  recovers  from  this  comically 
tardy  passion  for  his  wife.  They  can  have 
another  and  a  longer  honeymoon  up  at  the 
villa,  if  they  like :  the  other  was  far  from  ro 
mantic,  I  suspect.  Well,  why  that  sphinx-like 
expression,  if  you  please  ? "  he  added,  as  Olivia 
stood  regarding  him  from  behind  the  fading 
hawthorn  which  she  forgot  to  offer. 

"  I  was  wondering  if  I  should  ever  understand 
you,  Jasper." 

"Doubtful,  since  I  shall  never  understand 
myself." 

"  You  ought,  if  any  man ;  for  you  spend  your 
life  in  studying  yourself." 

"And  the  more  I  study,  the  less  I  know.  It 
is  very  like  a  child  with  a  toy  ark :  I  never 
know  what  animal  may  appear  first.  I  put  in 
my  hand  for  a  dove,  and  I  get  a  serpent ;  I  open 
the  door  for  the  sagacious  elephant,  and  out 
rushes  a  tiger ;  I  think  I  have  found  a  favorite 


A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       219 

dog,  and  it  is  a  wolf,  looking  ready  to  devour  me. 
An  unsatisfactory  toy,  better  put  it  away  and 
choose  another." 

Helwyze  spoke  in  the  half-jesting,  half-serious 
way  habitual  to  him ;  but  though  his  mouth 
smiled,  his  eyes  were  gloomy,  and  Olivia  has 
tened  to  turn  his  thoughts  from  a  subject  in 
which  he  took  a  morbid  interest. 

"Fanciful,  but  true.  Now,  follow  your  own 
excellent  advice,  and  find  wholesome  amusement 
in  helping  me  pack  off  the  young  people,  and 
then  ourselves.  It  is  not  too  early  for  them  to 
go  at  once.  Canaris  can  come  in  and  out  as  you 
want  him  for  a  month  longer,  then  I  will  have 
all  things  ready  for  you  in  the  old  cottage  by  the 
sea.  You  used  to  be  happy  there  :  can  you  not 
be  so  again  ? " 

"  If  you  can  give  me  back  my  twenty  years. 
May-day  is  over  for  both  of  us  ;  why  try  to  make 
the  dead  hawthorn  bloom  again  ?  Carry  out 
your  plan,  and  let  the  children  be  happy." 

They  were  very  happy ;  for  the  prospect  of 
entire  freedom  was  so  delicious,  that  Gladys  had 
some  difficulty  in  concealing  her  delight,  while 
Canaris  openly  rejoiced  when  told  of  Olivia's 
offer.  All  dinner-time  he  was  talking  of  it ;  and 
afterward,  under  pretence  of  showing  her  a  new 


220       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

plant,  he  took  his  wife  into  the  conservatory, 
that  he  might  continue  planning  how  they  should 
spend  this  unexpected  holiday. 

Helwyze  saw  them  wandering  arm  in  arm  ; 
Canaris  talking  rapidly,  and  Gladys  listening, 
with  happy  laughter,  to  his  whimsical  sugges 
tions  and  projects.  Their  content  displeased  the 
looker-on ;  but  there  was  something  so  attractive 
in  the  flower-framed  picture  of  beauty,  youth, 
and  joy,  that  he  could  not  turn  his  eyes  away, 
although  the  sight  aroused  strangely  conflicting 
thoughts  within  him. 

He  wished  them  gone,  yet  dreaded  to  lose  the 
charm  of  his  confined  life,  feeling  that  absence 
would  inevitably  become  estrangement.  Canaris 
never  would  be  entirely  his  again ;  for  he  was 
slowly  climbing  upward  into  a  region  where  false 
ambition  could  not  blind,  mere  pleasure  satisfy, 
nor  license  take  the  place  of  liberty.  He  had 
not  planned  to  ruin  the  youth,  but  simply  to  let 
"  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil "  contend 
against  such  virtues  as  they  found,  while  he  sat 
by  and  watched  the  struggle. 

As  Olivia  predicted,  however,  power  was  a 
dangerous  gift  to  such  a  man  ;  and,  having  come 
to  feel  that  Canaris  belonged  to  him,  body  and 
soul,  he  was  ill-pleased  at  losing  him  just  when  a 
new  interest  was  added  to  their  lives. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELZS.       221 

Yet  losing  him  he  assuredly  was  ;  and  some 
thing  like  wonder  mingled  with  his  chagrin,  for 
this  girl,  whom  he  had  expected  to  mould  to  his 
will,  exerted  over  him,  as  well  as  Canaris,  a  soft 
control  which  he  could  neither  comprehend  nor 
conquer.  Its  charm  was  its  unconsciousness,  its 
power  was  its  truth  ;  for  it  won  gently  and  held 
firmly  the  regard  it  sought.  She  certainly  did 
possess  the  gift  of  surprises ;  for,  although 
brought  there  as  a  plaything,  "little  Gladys," 
without  apparent  effort,  had  subjugated  haughty 
Olivia,  wayward  Felix,  ruthless  Helwyze;  and 
none  rebelled  against  her.  She  ruled  them  by 
the  irresistible  influence  of  a  lovely  womanhood, 
which  made  her  daily  life  a  sweeter  poem  than 
any  they  could  write. 

"  Why  did  I  not  keep  her  for  myself  ?  If  she 
can  do  so  much  for  him,  what  might  she  not 
have  done  for  me,  had  I  been  wise  enough  to 
wait,"  thought  Helwyze,  watching  the  bright- 
haired  figure  that  stood  looking  up  to  the  green 
roof  whence  Canaris  was  gathering  passion 
flowers. 

As  if  some  consciousness  of  his  longing 
reached  her,  Gladys  turned  to  look  into  the 
softly  lighted  room  beyond,  and,  seeing  its  master 
sit  there  solitary  in  the  midst  of  its  splendor,  she 


222       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

obeyed  the  compassionate  impulse  which  was 
continually  struggling  against  doubt  and  dislike. 

"  It  must  seem  very  selfish  and  ungrateful  in 
us  to  be  so  glad.  Come,  Felix,  and  amuse  him 
as  well  as  me,"  she  said,  in  a  tone  meant  for  hrs 
ear  alone.  But  Helwyze  heard  both  question 
and  answer. 

"  I  have  been  court-fool  long  enough.  'Tis  a 
thankless  office,  and  I  am  tired  of  it,"  replied 
Canaris,  in  the  tone  of  a  prisoner  asked  to  go 
back  when  the  door  of  his  cell  stands  open. 

"/  must  go,  for  there  is  Jean  with  coffee. 
Follow,  like  a  good  boy,  when  you  have  put  your 
posy  into  a  song,  which  I  will  set  to  music  by 
and  by,  as  your  reward,"  said  Gladys,  turning 
reluctantly  away. 

"  You  make  goodness  so  beautiful,  that  it  is 
easy  to  obey.  There  is  my  posy  set  to  music  at 
once,  for  you  are  a  song  without  words,  carina ;  " 
and  Canaris  threw  the  vine  about  her  neck,  with 
a  look  and  a  laugh  which  made  it  hard  for  her 
to  go. 

Jean  not  only  brought  coffee,  but  the  card  of 
a  friend  for  Felix,  who  went  away,  promising  to 
return.  Gladys  carefully  prepared  the  black  and 
fragrant  draught  which  Helwyze  loved,  arid  pre 
sented  it,  with  a  sweet  friendliness  of  mien 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       223 

which  would  have  made  hemlock  palatable,  he 
thought. 

"  Shall  I  sing  to  you  till  Felix  comes  to  give 
you  something  better  ? "  she  asked,  offering  her 
best,  as  if  anxious  to  atone  for  the  sin  of  being 
happy  at  the  cost  of  pain  to  another. 

"Talk  a  little  first.  There  will  be  time  for 
both  before  he  remembers  us  again,"  answered 
Helwyze,  motioning  her  to  a  seat  beside  him, 
with  the  half-imperative,  half-courteous,  look  and 
gesture  habitual  to  him. 

"  He  will  not  forget :  Felix  always  keeps  his 
promises  to  me,"  said  Gladys,  with  an  air  of 
gentle  pride,  taking  her  place,  not  beside,  but 
opposite,  Helwyze,  on  the  couch  where  Elaine 
had  laid  not  long  ago. 

This  involuntary  act  of  hers  gave  a  tone  to  the 
conversation  which  followed ;  for  Helwyze,  being 
inwardly  perturbed,  was  seized  with  a  desire  to 
hover  about  dangerous  topics :  and,  seeing  her 
sit  there,  so  near  and  yet  so  far,  so  willing  to  serve, 
yet  so  completely  mistress  of  herself,  longed  to 
ruffle  that  composure,  if  only  to  make  her  share 
the  disquiet  of  which  she  was  the  cause. 

"  Always  ?  "  he  said,  lifting  his  brows  with  an 
incredulous  expression,  as  he  replied  to  her  asser 
tion. 


224       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  I  seldom  ask  any  promise  of  him,  but  when 
I  do,  he  always  keeps  it.  You  doubt  that  ? " 

"  I  do." 

"  When  you  know  him  as  well  as  I,  you  will 
believe  it." 

"  I  flatter  myself  that  I  know  him  better ; 
and,  judging  from  the  past,  should  call  him 
both  fickle  and,  in  some  things,  false,  even  to 
you." 

Up  sprung  the  color  to  Gladys's  cheek,  and 
her  eyes  shone  with  sudden  fire,  but  her  voice 
was  low  and  quiet,  as  she  answered  quickly,  — 

"One  is  apt  to  look  for  what  one  wishes  to 
find :  /  seek  fidelity  and  truth,  and  I  shall  not  be 
disappointed.  Felix  may  wander,  but  he  will 
come  back  to  me :  I  have  learned  how  to  hold 
him  now? 

"Then  you  are  wiser  than  I.  Pray  impart  the 
secret ; "  and,  putting  down  his  cup,  Helwyze  re 
garded  her  intently,  for  he  saw  that  the  spirit 
of  the  woman  was  roused  to  defend  her  wifely 
rights. 

"  Nay,  I  owe  it  to  you ;  and,  since  it  has  pre 
vailed  against  your  enchantress,  I  should  thank 
you  for  it." 

•  The   delicate  emphasis  on  the  words,  "  your 
enchantress,"  enlightened  him  to  the  fact  that 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       22$ 

Gladys  divined,  in  part  at  least,  the  cause  of 
Olivia's  return.  He  did  not  deny,  but  simply 
answered,  with  a  curious  contrast  between  the 
carelessness  of  the  first  half  of  his  reply,  with  the 
vivid  interest  of  the  latter, — 

"  Olivia  has  atoned  for  her  sins  handsomely. 
But  what  do  you  owe  me  ?  I  have  taught  you 
nothing.  I  dare  not  try." 

"  I  did  not  know  my  own  power  till  you  showed 
it  to  me  ;  unintentionally,  I  believe,  and  uncon 
sciously,  I  used  it  to  such  purpose  that  Felix  felt 
pride  in  the  wife  whom  he  had  thought  a  child 
before.  I  mean  the  night  I  sang  and  acted 
yonder,  and  did  both  well,  thanks  to  you." 

"  I  comprehend,  and  hope  to  be  forgiven,  since 
I  gave  you  help  or  pleasure,"  he  answered,  with 
no  sign  of  either  confusion  or  regret,  though  the 
thought  shot  through  his  mind,  "  Can  she  re 
member  what  came  after  ? " 

"  Questionable  help,  and  painful  pleasure,  yet 
it  was  a  memorable  hour  and  a  useful  one  ;  so 
I  pardon  you,  since  after  the  troubled  delusion 
comes  a  happy  reality." 

There  was  a  double  meaning  in  her  words, 
and  a  double  reproach  in  the  glance  which  went 
from  the  spot  where  she  had  played  her  part,  to 
the  garland  still  about  her  neck. 

IO*  r» 


226      A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Your  yoke  is  a  light  one,  and  you  wear  it 
gracefully.  Long  may  it  be  so." 

Helwyze  thought  to  slip  away  thus  from  the 
subject ;  for  those  accusing  eyes  were  hard  to 
meet.  But  Gladys  seemed  moved  to  speak  with 
more  than  her  usual  candor,  as  if  anxious  to 
leave  no  doubts  behind  her ;  and,  sitting  in  the 
self-same  place,  uttered  words  which  moved  him 
even  more  than  those  which  she  had  whispered 
in  her  tormented  sleep. 

"  No,  my  yoke  is  not  light ; "  she  said,  in  that 
grave,  sweet  voice  of  hers,  looking  down  at  the 
mystic  purple  blossom  on  her  breast,  with  the 
symbols  of  a  divine  passion  at  its  heart.  "  I 
put  it  on  too  ignorantly,  too  confidingly,  and  at 
times  the  duties,  the  responsibilities,  which 
I  assumed  with  it  weigh  heavily.  I  am  just 
learning  how  beautiful  they  are,  how  sacred  they 
should  be,  and  trying  to  prove  worthy  of  them. 
I  know  that  Felix  did  not  love  as  I  loved,  when 
he  married  me,  —  from  pity,  I  believe.  No  one 
told  me  this  :  I  felt,  I  guessed  it,  and  would 
have  given  him  back  his  liberty,  if,  after  patient 
trial,  I  had  found  that  I  could  not  make  him 
happy." 

"  Can  you  ?  " 

"  Yes,  thank  God  !  not  only  happy,  but  good ; 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       22? 

and  henceforth  duty  is  delight,  for  I  can  teach 
him  to  love  as  I  love,  and  he  is  glad  to  learn 
of  me." 

Months  before,  when  the  girl  Gladys  had 
betrayed  her  maiden  tenderness,  she  had  glowed 
like  the  dawn,  and  found  no  language  but  her 
blushes  ;  now  the  woman  sat  there  steadfast 
and  passion-pale,  owning  her  love  with  the 
eloquence  of  fervent  speech;  both  pleading 
and  commanding,  in  the  name  of  wifehood  and 
motherhood,  for  the  right  to  claim  the  man  she 
had  won  at  such  cost. 

"  And  if  you  fail  ? " 

"  I  shall  not  fail,  unless  you  come  between  us. 
I  have  won  Olivia's  promise  not  to  tempt  Felix's 
errant  fancy  with  her  beauty.  Can  I  not  win 
yours  to  abstain  from  troubling  his  soul  with 
still  more  harmful  trials  ?  It  is  to  ask  this  that 
I  speak  now,  and  I  believe  I  shall  not  speak  in 
vain." 

"  Why  ? " 

Helwyze  bent  and  looked  into  her  face  as  he 
uttered  that  one  word  below  his  breath.  He 
dared  do  no  more ;  for  there  was  that  about  her, 
perilously  frank  and  lovely  though  she  was, 
.which  held  in  check  his  lawless  spirit,  and  made 
it  reverence,  even  while  it  rebelled  against  her 
power  over  him. 


228       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

She  neither  shrank  nor  turned  aside,  but 
studied  earnestly  that  unmoved  countenance 
which  hid  a  world  of  wild  emotion  so  success 
fully,  that  even  her  eyes  saw  no  token  of  it, 
except  the  deepening  line  between  the  brows. 

"  Because  I  am  bold  enough  to  think  I  know 
you  better  even  than  Olivia  does  ;  that  you  are 
not  cold  and  cruel,  and,  having  given  me  the 
right  to  live  for  Felix,  you  will  not  disturb  our 
peace ;  that,  if  I  look  into  your  soul,  as  I  looked 
into  my  husband's,  I  shall  find  there  what  I  seek, 
—  justice  as  well  as  generosity." 

"  You  shall !  " 

"  I  knew  you  would  not  disappoint  me.  For 
this  promise  I  am  more  grateful  than  words  can 
express,  since  it  takes  away  all  fear  for  Felix, 
and  shows  me  that  I  was  right  in  appealing  to 
the  heart  which  you  try  to  kill.  Ah  !  be  your 
best  self  always,  and  so  make  life  a  blessing,  not 
the  curse  you  often  call  it,"  she  added,  giving 
him  a  smile  like  sunshine,  a  cordial  glance  which 
was  more  than  he  could  bear. 

"  With  you  I  am.  Stay,  and  show  me  how 
to  do  it,"  he  began,  stretching  both  hands  to 
wards  her  with  an  almost  desperate  urgency  in 
voice  and  gesture. 

But   Gladys  neither   saw  nor  heard  ;    for  at 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       229 

that  moment  Felix  came  through  the  hall  sing 
ing  one  of  the  few  perfect  love  songs  in  the 
world,  — 

"  Che  faro  senza  Eurydice." 

"  See,  he  does  keep  his  promise  to  me :  I 
knew  he  would  come  back ! "  she  cried  delight 
edly,  and  hurried  to  meet  him,  leaving  Helwyze 
nothing  but  the  passion-flowers  to  fill  his  empty 
hands. 


230     A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 


XV. 

ACK  again,  earlier  than  before.  But  not 
to  stay  long,  thank  Heaven  !  By  another 
month  we  will  be  truly  at  home,  my  Gladys," 
whispered  Canaris,  as  they  went  up  the  steps,  in 
the  mellow  September  sunshine. 

"  I  hope  so ! "  she  answered,  fervently,  and 
paused  an  instant  before  entering  the  door  ;  for, 
coming  from  the  light  and  warmth  without,  it 
seemed  as  dark  and  chilly  as  the  entrance  to  a 
tomb. 

"  You  are  tired,  love  ?  Come  and  rest  before 
you  see  a  soul." 

With  a  new  sort  of  tenderness,  Canaris  led  her 
up  to  her  own  little  bower,  and  lingered  there  to 
arrange  the  basket  of  fresh  recruits  she  had 
brought  for  her  winter  garden  :  while  Gladys 
lay  contentedly  on  the  couch  where  he  placed 
her,  looking  about  the  room  as  if  greeting  old 
friends  ;  but  her  eyes  always  came  back  to  him, 
full  of  a  reposeful  happiness  which  proved  that  all 
was  well  with  her. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       231 

"  There  !  now  the  little  fellows  sit  right  com 
fortably  in  the  moss,  and  will  soon  feel  at  home. 
I'll  go  find  Mother  Bland,  and  see  what  his 
Serene  Highness  is  about,"  said  the  young  man, 
rising  from  his  work,  warm  and  gay,  but  in  no 
haste  to  go,  as  he  had  been  before. 

Gladys  remembered  that,  and  when,  at  last, 
he  left  her,  she  shut  her  eyes  to  re-live,  in 
thought,  the  three  blissful  months  she  had  spent 
in  teaching  him  to  love  her  with  the  love  in 
which  self  bears  no  part.  Before  the  happy 
reverie  was  half  over,  the  old  lady  arrived ;  and, 
by  the  time  the  young  one  was  ready,  Canaris 
came  to  fetch  her. 

"  My  dearest,  I  am  afraid  we  must  give  up  our 
plan,"  he  said,  softly,  as  he  led  her  away  :  "  Hel- 
wyze  is  so  changed,  I  come  to  tell  you,  lest  it 
should  shock  you  when  you  see  him.  I  think  it 
would  be  cruel  to  go  at  once.  Can  you  wait  a 
little  longer  ?  " 

"  If  we  ought.     How  is  he  changed  ? " 

"  Just  worn  away,  as  a  rock  is  by  the  beating 
of  the  sea,  till  there  seems  little  left  of  him  ex 
cept  the  big  eyes  and  greater  sharpness  of  both 
tongue  and  temper.  Say  nothing  about  it,  and 
seem  not  to  notice  it;  else  he  will  freeze  you 
with  a  look,  as  he  did  me  when  I  exclaimed." 


232       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Poor  man !  we  will  be  very  patient,  very  kind ; 
for  it  must  be  awful  to  think  of  dying  with  no 
light  beyond,"  sighed  Gladys,  touching  the  cross 
at  her  white  throat. 

"  A  Dante  without  a  Beatrice  :  I  am  happier 
than  he;"  and  Canaris  laid  his  cheek  against 
hers  with  the  gesture  of  a  boy,  the  look  of  a  man 
who  has  found  the  solace  which  is  also  his  salva 
tion. 

Helwyze  received  them  quietly,  a  little  coldly, 
even ;  and  Gladys  reproached  herself  with  too 
long  neglect  of  what  she  had  assumed  as  a  duty, 
when  she  saw  how  ill  he  looked,  for  his  summer 
had  not  been  a  blissful  one.  He  had  spent  it  in 
wishing  for  her,  and  in  persuading  himself  that 
the  desire  was  permissible,  since  he  asked  noth 
ing  but  what  she  had  already  given  him,  —  her 
presence  and  her  friendship.  It  was  her  in 
tellect  he  loved  and  wanted,  not  her  heart ;  that 
she  might  give  her  husband  wholly,  since  he  un 
derstood  and  cared  for  affection  only  :  her  mind, 
with  all  its  lovely  possibilities,  Helwyze  coveted, 
and  reasoned  himself  into  the  belief  that  he  had 
a  right  to  enjoy  it,  conscious  all  the  while  that 
his  purpose  was  a  delusion  and  a  snare.  Olivia 
had  mourned  over  the  moody  taciturnity  which 
made  a  lonely  cranny  of  the  cliffs  his  favorite  re- 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       233 

sort,  where  he  sat,  day  after  day,  watching,  with  an 
irresistible  fascination,  the  ever-changing  sea,  — 
beautiful  and  bitter  as  the  hidden  tide  of  thought 
and  feeling  in  his  own  breast,  where  lay  the 
image  of  Gladys,  as  placid,  yet  as  powerful,  as  the 
moon  which  ruled  the  ebb  and  flow  of  that  vaster 
ocean.  Being  a  fatalist  for  want  of  a  higher 
faith,  he  left  all  to- chance,  and  came  home 
simply  resolved  to  enjoy  what  was  left  him  as  long 
and  as  unobtrusively  as  possible;  since  Felix 
owed  him  much,  and  Gladys  need  never  know 
what  she  had  prayed  not  to  know. 

Sitting  at  the  table,  as  they  sat  almost  a 
year  ago,  he  watched  the  two  young  faces  as  he 
had  done  then,  finding  each,  unlike  his  own, 
changed  for  the  better.  Gladys  was  a  girl  no 
longer ;  and  the  new  womanliness  which  had 
come  to  her  was  of  the  highest  type,  for  inward 
beauty  lent  its  imperishable  loveliness  to  features 
faulty  in  themselves,  and  character  gave  its  in 
describable  charm  to  the  simplest  manners, 
Helwyze  saw  all  this  ;  and  perceiving  also  how 
much  heart  had  already  quickened  intellect,  began 
to  long  for  both,  and  to  grudge  his  pupil  to  her 
new  master. 

Canaris  seemed  to  have  lost  something  of  his 
boyish  comeliness,  and  had  taken  on  a  manlier  air 


234       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

of  strength  and  stability,  most  becoming,  and 
evidently  a  source  of  pardonable  pride  to  him. 
At  his  age  even  three  months  could  work  a  seri 
ous  alteration  in  one  so  easily  affected  by  all 
influences ;  and  Helwyze  felt  a  pang  of  envy  as 
he  saw  the  broad  shoulders  and  vigorous  limbs, 
the  wholesome  color  in  the  cheeks,  and  best  of 
all,  the  serene  content  of  a.  happy  heart. 

"What  have  you  been  doing  to  yourself, 
Felix  ?  Have  you  discovered  the  Elixir  of  Life 
up  there  ?  If  so,  impart  the  secret,  and  let  me 
have  a  sip,"  he  said,  as  Canaris  pushed  away 
his  plate  after  satisfying  a  "hearty  appetite  with 
the  relish  of  a  rustic. 

"  Gladys  did,"  he  answered,  with  a  nod  across 
the  table,  which  said  much.  "  She  would  not  let 
me  idle  about  while  waiting  for  ideas :  she  just 
set  me  to  work.  I  dug  acres,  it  seemed  to  me, 
and  amazed  the  gardener  with  my  exploits. 
Liked  it,  too ;  for  she  was  overseer,  and  would 
not  let  me  off  till  I  had  done  my  task  and 
earned  my  wages.  A  wonderfully  pleasant  life, 
and  I  am  the  better  for  it,  in  spite  of  my  sun 
burn  and  blisters  ; "  and  Canaris  stretched  out  a 
pair  of  sinewy  brown  hands  with  an  air  of  satis 
faction  which  made  Gladys  laugh  so  blithely  it 
was  evident  that  their  summer  had  been  full  of 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       235 

the  innocent  jollity  of  youth,  fine  weather,  and 
congenial  pastime. 

"  Adam  and  Eve  in  Eden,  with  all  the  modern 
improvements.  Not  even  a  tree  of  knowledge  or 
a  serpent  to  disturb  you  !  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  we  had  them  both  ;  but  we  only  ate 
the  good  fruit,  and  the  snake  did  not  tempt  me  ! " 
cried  Gladys,  anxious  to  defend  her  Paradise 
even  from  playful  mockery. 

"  He  did  me.  I  longed  to  kill  him,  but  my 
Eve  owed  him  no  grudge,  and  would  not  permit 
me  to  do  it ;  so  the  old  enemy  sunned  himself  in 
peace,  and  went  into  winter  quarters  a  reformed 
reptile,  I  am  sure." 

Canaris  did  not  look  up  as  he  spoke,  but 
Helwyze  asked  hastily,  — 

"  I  hope  you  harvested  a  few  fresh  ideas  for 
winter  work  ?  We  ought  to  have  something  to 
show  after  so  laborious  a  summer." 

"  I  have :  I  am  going  to  write  a  novel  or  a 
play.  I  cannot  decide  which;  but  rather  lean 
toward  the  latter,  and,  being  particularly  happy, 
feel  inclined  to  write  a  tragedy  ; "  and  some 
thing  beside  the  daring  of  an  ambitious  author 
sparkled  in  the  eyes  Canaris  fixed  upon  his 
patron.  It  looked  too  much  like  the  expression 
of  a  bondman  about  to  become  a  freeman  to 


236       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

suit  Helwyze ;  but  he  replied,  as  imperturbably 
as  ever,  — 

"  Try  the  tragedy,  by  all  means  :  the  novel 
would  be  beyond  you." 

"  Why,  if  you  please  ? "  demanded  Canaris, 
loftily. 

"  Because  you  have  neither  patience  nor  ex 
perience  enough  to  do  it  well.  Goethe  says : 
'  In  the  novel  it  is  sentiments  and  events  that 
are  exhibited ;  in  the  drama  it  is  characters  and 
deeds.  The  novel  goes  slowly  forward,  the  drama 
must  hasten.  In  the  novel,  some  degree  of  scope 
may  be  allowed  to  chance  ;  but  it  must  be  led 
and  guided  by  the  sentiments  of  the  personages. 
Fate,  on  the  other  hand,  which,  by  means  of  out 
ward,  unconnected  circumstances,  carries  for 
ward  men,  without  their  own  concurrence,  to  an 
unforeseen  catastrophe,  can  only  have  place  in 
the  drama.  Chance  may  produce  pathetic  sit 
uations,  but  not  tragic  ones.'  " 

Helwyze  paused  there  abruptly ;  for  the  mem 
ory  which  served  him  so  well  outran  his  tongue, 
and  recalled  the  closing  sentence  of  the  quota 
tion,  —  words  which  he  had  no  mind  to  utter 
then  and  there,  — "  Fate  ought  always  to  be 
terrible ;  and  it  is  in  the  highest  sense  tragic, 
when  it  brings  into  a  ruinous  concatenation  the 
guilty  man  and  the  guiltless  with  him." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 


"  Then  you  think  I  could  write  a  play  ?  "  asked 
Canaris,  with  affected  carelessness. 

"  I  think  you  could  act  one,  better  than  imag 
ine  or  write  it  ?  " 

"  What,  I  ?  " 

"  Yes,  you  ;  because  you  are  dramatic  by  nat 
ure,  and  it  is  easier  for  you  to  express  yourself 
in  gesture  and  tone,  than  by  written  or  spoken 
language.  You  were  born  for  an  actor,  are 
fitted  for  it  in  every  way,  and  I  advise  you  to  try 
it.  It  would  pay  better  than  poetry  ;  and  that 
stream  may  run  dry." 

Gladys  looked  indignant  at  what  she  thought 
bad  advice  and  distasteful  pleasantry  ;  but  Ca 
naris  seemed  struck  and  charmed  with  the  new 
idea,  protesting  that  he  would  first  write,  then 
act,  his  play,  and  prove  himself  a  universal 
genius. 

No  more  was  said  just  then  ;  but  long  after-" 
ward  the  conversation  came  back  to  him  like  an 
inspiration,  and  was  the  seed  of  a  purpose  which, 
through  patient  effort,  bore  fruit  in  a  brilliant 
and  successful  career  :  for  Canaris,  like  many 
another  man,  did  not  know  his  own  strength  or 
weakness  yet,  neither  the  true  gift  nor  the 
power  of  evil  which  lay  unsuspected  within 
him. 


238       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

So  the  old  life  began  again,  at  least  in  out 
ward  seeming ;  but  it  was  impossible  for  it  to 
last  long.  The  air  was  too  full  of  the  electricity 
of  suppressed  and  conflicting  emotions  to  be 
wholesome;  former  relations  could  not  be  re 
sumed,  because  sincerity  had  gone  out  of  them  ; 
and  the  quiet,  which  reigned  for  a  time,  was 
only  the  lull  before  the  storm. 

Gladys  soon  felt  this,  but  tried  to  think  it  was 
owing  to  the  contrast  between  the  free,  happy 
days  she  had  enjoyed  so  much,  and  uttered  no 
complaint ;  for  Felix  was  busy  with  his  play, 
sanguine  as  ever,  inspired  now  by  a  nobler  am 
bition  than  before,  and  happy  in  his  work. 

Helwyze  had  flattered  himself  that  he  could 
be  content  with  the  harmless  shadow,  since  he 
could  not  possess  the  sweet  substance  of  a  love 
whose  seeming  purity  was  its  most  delusive  dan 
ger.  But  he  soon  discovered  "  how  bitter  a  thing 
it  is  to  look  into  happiness  through  another  man's 
eyes  ;  "  and,  even  while  he  made  no  effort  to  rob 
Canaris  of  his  treasure,  he  hated  him  for  posses 
sing  it,  finding  the  hatred  all  the  more  poignant, 
because  it  was  his  own  hand  which  had  forced 
Felix  to  seize  and  secure  it.  He  had  thought 
to  hold  and  hide  this  new  secret ;  but  it  held 
him,  and  would  not  be  hidden,  for  it  was 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       239 

stronger  than  even  his  strong  will,  and  ruled 
him  with  a  power  which  at  times  filled  him  with 
a  sort  of  terror.  Having  allowed  it  to  grow,  and 
taken  it  to  his  bosom,  he  could  not  cast  it  out 
again,  and  it  became  a  torment,  not  the  comfort 
he  had  hoped  to  find  it.  His  daily  affliction 
was  to  see  how  much  the  young  pair  were  to 
each  other,  to  read  in  their  faces  a  hundred 
happy  hopes  and  confidences  in  which  he  had 
no  part,  and  to  remember  the  confession  wrung 
from  the  lips  dearest  to  him,  that  his  death 
would  bring  to  them  their  much-desired  free 
dom. 

At  times  he  was  minded  to  say  "  Go,"  but  the 
thought  of  the  utter  blank  her  absence  would 
leave  behind  daunted  him.  Often  an  almost 
uncontrollable  desire  to  tell  her  that  which 
would  mar  her  trust  in  her  husband  tempted 
him  ;  for,  having  yielded  to  a  greater  temptation, 
all  lesser  ones  seemed  innocent  beside  it ;  and, 
worse  than  all,  the  old  morbid  longing  for  some 
excitement,  painful  even,  if  it  could  not  be 
pleasurable,  goaded  him  to  the  utterance  of  half 
truths,  which  irritated  Canaris  and  perplexed 
Gladys,  till  she  could  no  longer  doubt  the  cause 
of  this  strange  mood.  It  seemed  as  if  her 
innocent  hand  gave  the  touch  which  set  the 


240       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

avalanche  slipping  swiftly  but  silently  to  its 
destructive  fall. 

One  day  when  Helwyze  was  pacing  to  and  fro 
in  the  library,  driven  by  the  inward  storm  which 
no  outward  sign  betrayed,  except  his  excessive 
pallor  and  unusual  restlessness,  she  looked  up 
from  her  book,  asking  compassionately,  — 

"  Are  you  suffering,  sir  ? " 

"  Torment." 

"  Can  I  do  nothing  ?  " 

"  Nothing  ! " 

She  went  on  reading,  as  if  glad  to  be  left  in 
peace;  for  distrust,  as  well  as  pity,  looked  out 
from  her  frank  eyes,  and  there  was  no  longer 
any  pleasure  in  the  duties  she  performed  for 
Canaris's  sake. 

But  Helwyze,  jealous  even  of  the  book  which 
seemed  to  absorb  her,  soon  paused  again,  to  ask, 
in  a  calmer  tone,  — 

"What  interests  you  ?" 

" '  The  Scarlet  Letter.'  " 

The  hands  loosely  clasped  behind  him  were 
locked  more  closely  by  an  involuntary  gesture, 
as  if  the  words  made  him  wince ;  otherwise  un 
moved,  he  asked  again,  with  the  curiosity  he 
often  showed  about  her  opinions  of  all  she 
read,  — 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       241 

"  What  do  you  think  of  Hester  ? " 

"  I  admire  her  courage  ;  for  she  repented,  and 
did  not  hide  her  sin  with  a  lie." 

"  Then  you  must  despise  Dimmesdale  ?  " 

"  I  ought,  perhaps  ;  but  I  cannot  help  pitying 
his  weakness,  while  I  detest  his  deceit :  he 
loved  so  much." 

"  So  did  Roger ; "  and  Helwyze  drew  nearer, 
with  the  peculiar  flicker  in  his  eyes,  as  of  a 
light  kindled  suddenly  behind  a  carefully  drawn 
curtain. 

"  At  first ;  then  his  love  turned  to  hate,  and 
he  committed  the  unpardonable  sin,"  answered 
Gladys,  much  moved  by  that  weird  and  wonder 
ful  picture  of  guilt  and  its  atonement. 

"  The  unpardonable  sin  !  "  echoed  Helwyze, 
struck  by  her  words  and  manner. 

"  Hawthorne  somewhere  describes  it  as  '  the 
want  of  love  and  reverence  for  the  human  soul, 
which  makes  a  man  pry  into  its  mysterious  depths, 
not  with  a  hope  or  purpose  of  making  it  better, 
but  from  a  cold,  philosophical  curiosity.  This 
would  be  the  separation  of  the  intellect  from  the 
heart :  and  this,  perhaps,  would  be  as  unpardon 
able  a  sin  as  to  doubt  God,  whom  we  cannot 
harm ;  for  in  doing  this  we  must  inevitably  do 
great  wrong  both  to  ourselves  and  others.' " 


242       A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

As  she  spoke,  fast  and  earnestly,  Gladys  felt 
herself  upon  the  brink  of  a  much-desired,  but 
much- dreaded,  explanation ;  for  Canaris,  while 
owning  to  her  that  there  was  a  secret,  would  not 
tell  it  till  Helwyze  freed  him  from  his  promise. 
She  thought  that  he  delayed  to  ask  this  absolution 
till  she  was  fitter  to  bear  the  truth,  whatever  it 
might  be ;  and  she  had  resolved  to  spare  her 
husband  the  pain  of  an  avowal,  by  demanding  it 
herself  of  Helwyze.  The  moment  seemed  to 
have  come,  and  both  knew  it ;  for  he  regarded 
her  with  the  quick,  piercing  look  which  read  her 
purpose  before  she  could  put  it  into  words. 

"  You  are  right ;  yet  Roger  was  the  wronged 
one,  and  the  others  deserved  to  surfer." 

"  They  did ;  but  Hester's  suffering  ennobled 
her,  because  nobly  borne;  Dimmesdale's  de 
stroyed  him,  because  he  paltered  weakly  with  his 
conscience.  Roger  let  his  wrong  turn  him  from 
a  man  into  a  devil,  and  deserves  the  contempt 
and  horror  he  rouses  in  us.  The  keeping  of  the 
secret  makes  the  romance  ;  the  confession  of  it  is 
the  moral,  showing  how  falsehood  can  ruin  a 
life,  and  truth  only  save  it  at  the  last." 

"  Never  have  a  secret,  Gladys  :  they  are  hard 
masters,  whom  we  hate,  yet  dare  not  rebel 
against." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.     .  243 

His  accent  of  sad  sincerity  seemed  to  clear  the 
way  for  her,  and  she  spoke  out,  briefly  and 
bravely,  — 

"  Sir,  you  dare  any  thing  !  Tell  me  what  it  is 
which  makes  Felix  obey  you  against  his  will. 
He  owns  it,  but  will  not  speak  till  you  consent 
Tell  me,  I  beseech  you ! " 

"  Could  you  bear  it  ? "  he  asked,  admiring  her 
courage,  yet  doubtful  of  the  wisdom  of  purchas 
ing  a  moment's  satisfaction  at  such  a  cost ;  for, 
though  he  could  cast  down  her  idol,  he  dared  not 
set  up  another  in  its  place. 

"  Try  me  ! "  she  cried  :  "  nothing  can  lessen  my 
love,  and  doubt  afflicts  me  more  than  the  hard 
est  truth." 

"  I  fear  not :  with  you  love  and  respect  go 
hand  in  hand,  and  some  sins  you  would  find  very 
hard  to  pardon." 

Involuntarily  Gladys  shrunk  a  little,  and  her 
eye  questioned  his  inscrutable  face,  as  she  an 
swered  slowly,  thinking  only  of  her  husband,  — 

"  Something  very  mean  and  false  would  be 
hard  to  forgive  ;  but  not  some  youthful  fault, 
some  shame  borne  for  others,  or  even  a  crime,  if 
a  very  human  emotion,  a  generous  but  mistaken 
motive,  led  to  it." 

"  Then  this  secret  is  better  left  untold ;  for  it 


244       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

would  try  you  sorely 'to  know  that  Felix  had 
been  guilty  of  the  fault  you  find  harder  to  forgive 
than  a  crime,  —  deceit.  Wait  a  little,  till  you  are 
accustomed  to  the  thought,  then  you  shall  have 
the  facts ;  and  pity,  even  while  you  must  despise, 
him." 

While  he  spoke,  Gladys  sat  like  one  nerving 
herself  to  receive  a  blow ;  but  at  the  last  words 
she  suddenly  put  up  her  hand  as  if  to  arrest  it, 
saying,  hurriedly,  — 

"  No !  do  not  tell  me  ;  I  cannot  bear  it  yet,  nor 
from  you.  He  shall  tell  me ;  it  will  be  easier 
so,  and  less  like  treachery.  O  sir,"  she  added, 
in  a  passionately  pleading  tone,  "  use  merci 
fully  whatever  bitter  knowledge  you  possess  ! 
Remember  how  young  he  is,  how  neglected  as 
a  boy,  how  tempted  he  may  have  been;  and 
deal  generously,  honorably  with  him,  —  and  with 
me." 

Her  voice  broke  there.  She  spread  her  hands 
before  her  eyes,  and  fled  out  of  the  room,  as  if  in 
his  face  she  read  a  more  disastrous  confession 
than  any  Felix  could  ever  make.  Helwyze  stood 
motionless,  looking  as  he  looked  the  night  she 
spoke  more  frankly  but  less  forcibly  :  and  when 
she  vanished,  he  stole  away  to  his  own  room,  as 
he  stole  then  ;  only  now  his  usually  colorless 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       245 

cheek  burned  with  a  fiery  flush,  and  his  hand 
went  involuntarily  to  his  breast,  as  if,  like  Dim- 
mesdale,  he  carried  an  invisible  scarlet  letter 
branded  there. 


246       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 


XVI. 

TVTEITHER  had  heard  the  door  of  that  inner 
room  open  quietly  ;  neither  had  seen  Canaris 
stand  upon  the  threshold  for  an  instant,  then 
draw  back,  looking  as  if  he  had  found  another 
skeleton  to  hide  in  the  cell  where  he  was  laboring 
at  the  third  act  of  the  tragedy  which  he  was  to 
live,  not  write. 

He  had  heard  the  last  words  Gladys  said,  he 
had  seen  the  last  look  Helwyze  wore,  and,  like  a 
flash  of  lightning,  the  truth  struck  and  stunned 
him.  At  first  he  sat  staring  aghast  at  the  thing 
he  plainly  saw,  yet  hardly  comprehended.  Then 
a  sort  of  fury  seized  and  shook  him,  as  he  sprang 
up  with  hands  clenched,  eyes  ablaze,  looking  as 
if  about  to  instantly  avenge  the  deadliest  injury 
one  man  could  do  another.  But  the  half  savage 
self-control  adversity  had  taught  stood  him  in 
good  stead  now,  curbing  the  first  natural  but 
reckless  wrath  which  nerved  every  fibre  of  his 
strong  young  body  with  an  almost  irresistible 
impulse  to  kill  Helwyze  without  a  word. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.        247 

The  gust  of  blind  passion  subsided  quickly 
into  a  calmer,  but  not  less  dangerous,  mood  ;  and, 
fearing  to  trust  himself  so  near  his  enemy, 
Canaris  rushed  away,  to  walk  fast  and  far,  un 
conscious  where  he  went,  till  the  autumnal 
gloaming  brought  him  back,  master  of  himself, 
he  thought. 

While  he  wandered  aimlessly  about  the  city, 
he  had  been  recalling  the  past  with  the  vivid 
skill  which  at  such  intense  moments  seems  to 
bring  back  half-forgotten  words,  apparently  un 
noticed  actions,  and  unconscious  impressions ; 
as  fire  causes  invisible  letters  to  stand  out  upon 
a  page  where  they  are  traced  in  sympathetic 
ink. 

Not  a  doubt  of  Gladys  disturbed  the  ever- 
deepening  current  of  a  love  the  more  precious 
for  its  newness,  the  more  powerful  for  its  en 
nobling  influence.  But  every  instinct  of  his 
nature  rose  in  revolt  against  Helwyze,  all  the 
more  rebellious  and  resentful  for  the  long  sub 
jection  in  which  he  had  been  held. 

A  master  stronger  than  the  ambition  which 
had  been  the  ruling  passion  of  his  life  so  far 
asserted  its  supremacy  now,  and  made  it  possible 
for  him  to  pay  the  price  of  liberty  without  fur 
ther  weak  delay  or  unmanly  regret. 


248       A   MODERN  MEPH1STOPHELES. 

This  he  resolved  upon,  and  this  he  believed 
he  could  accomplish  safely  and  soon.  But  if 
Helwyze,  with  far  greater  skill  and  self-control, 
had  failed  to  guide  or  subdue  the  conflicting 
passions  let  loose  among  them,  how  could  Ca- 
naris  hope  to  do  it,  or  retard  by  so  much  as 
one  minute  the  irresistible  consequences  of  their 
acts  ?  "  The  providence  of  God  cannot  be  hur 
ried,"  and  His  retribution  falls  at  the  appointed 
time,  saving,  even  when  it  seems  to  destroy. 

Returning  resolute  but  weary,  Canaris  was 
relieved  to  find  that  a  still  longer  reprieve  was 
granted  him  ;  for  Olivia  was  there,  and  Gladys 
apparently  absorbed  in  the  tender  toil  women 
love,  making  ready  for  the  Christmas  gift  she 
hoped  to  give  him.  Helwyze  sent  word  that  he 
was  suffering  one  of  his  bad  attacks,  and  bade 
them  all  good-night ;  so  there  was  nothing  to 
mar  the  last  quiet  evening  these  three  were  ever 
to  pass  together. 

When  Canaris  had  seen  Olivia  to  the  winter 
quarters  she  inhabited  near  by,  he  went  up  to 
his  own  room,  where  Gladys  lay,  looking  like  a 
child  who  had  cried  itself  to  sleep.  The  sight 
of  the  pathetic  patience  touched  with  slumber's 
peace,  in  the  tear-stained  face  upon  the  pillow, 
wrung  his  heart,  and,  stooping,  he  softly  kissed 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       249 

the  hand  upon  the  coverlet,  —  the  small  hand 
that  wore  a  wedding-ring,  now  grown  tod  large 
for  it. 

"  God  bless  my  dearest !  "  he  whispered,  with  a 
sob  in  his  throat.  "  Out  of  this  accursed  house 
she  shall  go  to-morrow,  though  I  leave  all  but 
love  and  liberty  behind  me." 

Sleepless,  impatient,  and  harassed  by  thoughts 
that  would  not  let  him  rest,  he  yielded  to  the  un 
canny  attraction  which  the  library  now  had  for 
him,  and  went  down  again,  deluding  himself 
with  the  idea  that  he  could  utilize  emotion  and 
work  for  an  hour  or  two. 

The  familiar  room  looked  strange  to  him  ;  and 
when  the  door  of  Helwyze's  apartment  opened 
quietly,  he  started,  although  it  was  only  Stern, 
coming  to  nap  before  the  comfortable  fire. 
Something  in  Canaris's  expectant  air  and  atti 
tude  made  the  man  answer  the  question  his 
face  seemed  to  ask. 

"  Quiet  at  last,  sir.  He  has  had  no  sleep  for 
many  nights,  and  is  fairly  worn  out." 

"  You  look  so,  too.  Go  and  rest  a  little.  I 
shall  be  here  writing  for  several  hours,  and  can 
see  to  him,"  said  Canaris,  kindly,  as  the  poor  old 
fellow  respectfully  tried  to  swallow  a  portentous 
gape  behind  his  hand. 


250       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Thank  you,  Mr.  Felix :  it  would  be  a  comfort 
just  to  lose  myself.  Master  is  not  likely  to  want 
any  thing;  but,  if  he  should  call,  just  step  and 
give  him  his  drops,  please.  They  are  all  ready. 
I  fixed  them  myself:  he  is  so  careless  when  he 
is  half-asleep,  and,  not  being  used  to  this  new 
stuff,  an  overdose  might  kill  him." 

Giving  these  directions,  Stern  departed  with 
alacrity,  and  left  Canaris  to  his  watch.  He  had 
often  done  as  much  before,  but  never  with  such 
a  sense  of  satisfaction  as  now ;  and  though  he 
carefully  abstained  from  giving  himself  a  reason 
for  the  act,  no  sooner  had  the  valet  gone  than 
he  went  to  look  in  upon  Helwyze,  longing  to 
call  out  commandingly,  "  Wake,  and  hear  me  ! " 

But  the  helplessness  of  the  man  disarmed 
him,  the  peaceful  expression  of  the  sharp,  white 
features  mutely  reproached  him,  the  recollection 
of  what  he  would  awaken  to  made  Canaris 
ashamed  to  exult  over  a  defeated  enemy;  and 
he  turned  away,  with  an  almost  compassionate 
glance  at  the  straight,  still  figure,  clearly  defined 
against  the  dusky  background  of  the  darkened 
room. 

"  He  looks  as  if  he  were  dead." 

Canaris  did  not  speak  aloud,  but  it  seemed  as 
if  a  voice  echoed  the  words  with  a  suggestive 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.      2$  I 

emphasis,  that  made  him  pause  as  he  approached 
the  study-table,  conscious  of  a  quick  thrill  of 
comprehension  tingling  through  him  like  an 
answer.  Why  he  covered  both  ears  with  a  sud 
den  gesture,  he  could  not  tell,  nor  why  he  hastily 
.seated  himself,  caught  up  the  first  book  at  hand 
and  began  to  read  without  knowing  what  he 
read.  Only  for  an  instant,  however,  then  the 
words  grew  clear  before  him,  and  his  eyes  rested 
on  this  line,  — 

"  (TV  0r)v  a  xpy^eis,  vavv 


He  dropped  the  book,  as  if  it  had  burnt  him, 
and  looked  over  his  shoulder,  almost  expecting 
to  see  the  dark  thought  lurking  in  his  mind 
take  shape  before  him.  Empty,  dim,  and  quiet 
was  the  lofty  room  ;  but  a  troubled  spirit  and 
distempered  imagination  peopled  it  with  such 
vivid  and  tormenting  phantoms  of  the  past,  the 
present  and  the  future,  that  he  scarcely  knew 
whether  he  was  awake  or  dreaming,  as  he  sat 
there  alone,  waiting  for  midnight,  and  the  spectre 
of  an  uncommitted  deed. 

His  wandering  eye  fell  on  a  leaf  of   paper, 
lying  half-shrivelled  by  the  heat  of  the  red  fire. 

*  "  Thy  ominous  tongue  gives  utterance  to  thy  wish." 

.diSCHYLUS. 


252       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

This  recalled  the  hour  when,  in  the  act  of  burn 
ing  that,  first  manuscript,  Helwyze  had  saved 
him,  and  all  that  followed  shortly  after. 

Not  a  pleasant  memory,  it  seemed  ;  for  his  face 
darkened,  and  his  glance  turned  to  a  purple- 
covered  volume,  left  on  the  low  chair  where 
Gladys  usually  sat,  and  often  read  in  that  be 
loved  book.  A  still  more  bitter  recollection 
bowed  his  head  at  sight  of  it,  till  some  newer, 
sharper  thought  seemed  to  pierce  him  with  a 
sudden  stab,  and  he  laid  his  clenched  hand  on 
the  pile  of  papers  before  him,  as  if  taking"  an 
oath  more  binding  than  the  one  made  there 
nearly  three  years  ago. 

He  had  been  reading  Shakespeare  lately,  for 
one  may  copy  the  great  masters  ;  and  now,  as  he 
tried  with  feverish  energy  to  work  upon  his  play, 
the  grim  or  gracious  models  he  had  been  study 
ing  seemed  to  rise  and  live  before  him.  But 
one  and  all  were  made  subject  to  the  strong 
passions  which  ruled  him  ;  jealousy,  ambition, 
revenge,  and  love  wore  their  appropriate  guise, 
acted  their  appropriate  parts,  and  made  him  one 
with  them.  Othello  would  only  show  himself 
as  stabbing  the  perfidious  lago ;  Macbeth  always 
grasped  at  the  air-drawn  dagger  ;  Hamlet  was 
continually  completing  his  fateful  task ;  and 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       253 

Romeo   whispered,  with    the    little  vial    at  his 
lips,  — 

"  Oh,  true  apothecary  ! 
Thy  drugs  are  quick." 

Canaris  tried  to  chase  away  these  troubled 
spirits  ;  but  they  would  not  down,  and,  yielding 
to  them,  he  let  his  mind  wander  as  it  would,  till 
he  had  "supped  full  of  horrors,"  feeling  as  if  in 
the  grasp  of  a  nightmare  which  led  him,  con 
scious,  but  powerless,  toward  some  catastrophe 
forefelt,  rather  than  foreseen.  How  long  this 
lasted  he  never  knew;  for  nothing  broke  the 
silence  growing  momently  more  terrible  as  he 
listened  to  the  stealthy  tread  of  the  temptation 
coming  nearer  and  nearer,  till  it  appeared  in  the 
likeness  of  himself,  while  a  voice  said,  in  the 
ordinary  tone  which  so  often  makes  dreams 
grotesque  at  their  most  painful  climax,  — 

"  Master  is  so  careless  when  half -asleep  ;  and, 
not  being  used  to  this  new  stuff,  *  an  overdose 
might  kill  him." 

As  if  these  words  were  the  summons  for  which 
he  had  been  waiting,  Canaris  rose  up  suddenly 
and  went  into  that  other  room,  too  entirely  ab 
sorbed  by  the  hurrying  emotions  which  swept 
him  away  to  see  what  looked  like  a  new  phantom 
coming  in.  It  might  have  been  the  shade  of 


254      A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

young  Juliet,  gentle  Desdemona,  poor  Ophelia, 
or,  better  still  the  eidolen  of  Margaret  wandering, 
pale  and  pensive,  through  the  baleful  darkness 
of  this  Walpurgis  Nacht. 

He  did  not  see  it ;  he  saw  nothing  but  the 
glass  upon  the  table  where  the  dim  light  burned, 
the  little  vial  with  its  colorless  contents,  and 
Helwyze  stirring  in  his  bed,  as  if  about  to  wake 
and  speak.  Conscious  only  of  the  purpose 
which  now  wholly  dominated  him,  Canaris, 
without  either  haste  or  hesitation,  took  the 
bottle,  uncorked,  and  held  it  over  the  glass 
half-filled  with  water.  But  before  a  single  drop 
could  fall  a  cold  hand  touched  his  own,  and, 
with  a  start  that  crushed  the  vial  in  his  grasp, 
he  found  himself  eye  to  eye  with  Gladys. 

Guilt  was  frozen  upon  his  face,  terror  upon 
hers ;  but  neither  spoke,  for  a  third  voice  mut 
tered  drowsily,  "  Stern,  give  me  more ;  don't 
rouse  me." 

Canaris  could  not  stir  ;  Gladys  whispered,  with 
white  lips,  and  her  hand  upon  the  cup,  — 

"Dare  I  give  it?" 

He  could  only  answer  by  a  sign,  and  cowered 
into  the  shadow,  while  she  put  the  draught  to 
Helwyze's  lips,  fearing  to  let  him  waken  now. 
He  drank  drowsily,  yet  seemed  half-conscious  of 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       255 

her  presence ;  for  he  looked  up  with  sleep- 
drunken  eyes,  and  murmured,  as  if  to  the  familiar 
figure  of  a  dream,  — 

"Mine  asleep,  his  awake,"  then  whispering 
brokenly  about  "Felix,  Vivien,  and  daring  any 
thing,"  he  was  gone  again  into  the  lethargy 
which  alone  could  bring  forgetfulness. 

Gladys  feared  her  husband  would  hear  the 
almost  inaudible  words  ;  but  he  had  vanished, 
and  when  she  glided  out  to  join  him,  carefully 
closing  the  door  behind  her,  a  glance  showed 
that  her  fear  was  true. 

Relieved,  yet  not  repentant,  he  stood  there 
looking  at  a  red  stain  on  his  hand  with  such  a 
desperate  expression  that  Gladys  could  only  cling 
to  him,  saying,  in  a  terror-stricken  whisper,  — 

"  Felix,  for  God's  sake,  come  away  !  What  are 
you  doing  here  ? " 

"  Going  mad,  I  think,"  he  answered,  under  his 
breath  ;  but  added,  lifting  up  his  hand  with  an 
ominous  gesture,  "  I  would  have  done  it  if  you 
had  not  stopped  me.  It  would  be  better  for  us 
all  if  he  were  dead." 

"  Not  so  ;  thank  Heaven  I  came  in  time  to 
save  you  from  the  sin  of  murder ! "  she  said, 
holding  fast  the  hand  as  yet  unstained  by  any 
blood  but  its  own. 


256       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  I  have  committed  murder  in  my  heart.  Why 
not  profit  by  the  sin,  since  it  is  there  ?  I  hate 
that  man !  I  have  cause,  and  you  know  it." 

"  No,  no,  not  all !  You  shall  tell  me  every 
thing ;  but  not  now,  not  here." 

"  The  time  has  come,  and  this  is  the  place  to 
tell  it.  Sit  there  and  listen.  I  must  untie  or 
cut  the  snarl  to-night." 

He  pointed  to  the  great  chair  ;  and,  grateful 
for  any  thing  that  could  change  or  stem  the 
dangerous  current  of  his  thoughts,  Gladys  sank 
down,  feeling  as  if,  after  this  shock,  she  was  pre 
pared  for  any  discovery  or  disaster.  Canaris 
stood  before  her,  white  and  stern,  as  if  he  were 
both  judge  and  culprit ;  for  a  sombre  wrath  still 
burned  in  his  eye,  and  his  face  worked  with  the 
mingled  shame  and  contempt  warring  within 
him. 

"  I  heard  and  saw  this  afternoon,  when  you  two 
talked  together  yonder,  and  I  knew  then  what 
made  you  so  glad  to  go  away,  so  loath  to  come 
back.  You  have  had  a  secret  as  well  as  I." 

"  I  was  never  sure  until  to-day.  Do  not  speak 
of  that :  it  is  enough  to  know  it,  and  forget  it  if 
we  can.  Tell  your  secret :  it  has  burdened  you 
so  long,  you  will  be  glad  to  end  it.  He  would 
have  done  so,  but  I  would  not  let  him." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       257 

"  I  thought  it  would  be  hard  to  tell  you,  yet 
now  my  fault  looks  so  small  and  innocent  beside 
his,  I  can  confess  without  much  shame  or  fear." 

But  it  was  not  easy  ;  for  he  had  gone  so  far 
into  a  deeper,  darker  world  that  night,  it  was  diffi 
cult  to  come  to  lesser  sins  and  lighter  thoughts. 
As  he  hesitated  for  a  word,  his  eye  fell  upon,  the 
purple-covered  book,  and  he  saw  a  way  to  shorten 
his  confession.  Catching  up  a  pen,  he  bent 
over  the  volume  an  instant,  then  handed  it  to 
Gladys,  open  at  the  title-page.  She  knew  it,  — 
the  dear  romance,  worn  with  much  reading,  —  and 
looked  wonderingly  at  the  black  mark  drawn 
through  the  name,  "  Felix  Canaris,"  and  the 
words,  "Jasper  Helwyze,"  written  boldly  below. 

"  What  does  it  mean  ? "  she  asked,  refusing 
to  believe  the  discovery  which  the  expression  of 
his  averted  face  confirmed. 

"  That  I  am  a  living  lie.     He  wrote  that  book." 

"  He  ? " 

"  Every  line." 

"  But  not  the  other?"  she  said;  clinging  to  a 
last  hope,  as  every  thing  seemed  falling  about 
her. 

"  All,  except  half  a  dozen  of  the  songs." 

Down  dropped  the  book  between  them,  —  now 
a  thing  of  little  worth,  —  and,  trying  to  conceal 


258       A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

from  him  the  contempt  which  even  love  could 
not  repress,  Gladys  hid  her  face,  with  one  re 
proach,  the  bitterest  she  could  have  uttered,  — 

"  O  my  husband !  did  you  give  up  honor, 
liberty,  and  peace  for  so  poor  a  thing  as  that  ? " 

It  cut  him  to  the  soul :  for  now  he  saw  how 
high  a  price  he  had  paid  for  an  empty  name  ; 
how  mean  and  poor  his  ambition  looked  ;  how 
truly  he  deserved  to  be  despised  for  that  of  which 
he  had  striven  to  be  proud.  Gladys  had  so  rejoiced 
over  him  as  a  poet,  that  it  was  the  hardest  task 
of  all  to  put  off  his  borrowed  singing-robes,  and 
show  himself  an  ordinary  man.  He  forgot  that 
there  was  any  other  tribunal  than  this,  as  he 
stood  waiting  for  his  sentence,  oppressed  with 
the  fear  that  out  of  her  almost  stern  sense  of 
honor  she  might  condemn  him  to  the  loss  of  the 
respect  and  confidence  which  he  had  lately 
learned  to  value  as  much  as  happiness  and  love. 

"  You  must  despise  me ;  but  if  you  knew  "  — 
he  humbly  began,  unable  to  bear  the  silence 
longer. 

"Tell  me,  then.  I  will  not  judge  until  I 
know;"  and  Gladys,  just,  even  in  her  sorrow, 
looked  up  with  an  expression  which  said  plainer 
than  words,  "  For  better,  for  worse  ;  this  is  the 
worse,  but  I  love  you  still." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES:     259 

That  made  it  possible  for  him  to  go  on,  fast 
and  low,  not  stopping  to  choose  phrases,  but 
pouring  out  the  little  story  of  his  temptation  and 
fall,  with  a  sense  of  intense  relief  that  he  was 
done  with  slavery  for  ever. 

"  Neither  of  us  coolly  planned  this  thing ;  it 
came  about  so  simply  and  naturally,  it  seemed  a 
mere  accident.  —  And  yet,  who  can  tell  what  he 
might  have  planned,  seeing  how  weak  I  was,  how 
ready  to  be  tempted.  —  It  happened  in  that  second 
month,  when  I  promised  to  stay ;  he  to  help  me 
with  my  book.  It  was  all  mine  then  ;  but  when 
we  came  to  look  at  it,  there  was  not  enough  to 
fill  even  the  most  modest  volume ;  for  I  had 
burnt  many,  and  must  recall  them,  or  write  more. 
I  tried  honestly,  but  the  power  was  not  in  me, 
and  I  fell  into  despair  again  ;  for  the  desire  to 
be  kngwn  was  the  breath  of  my  life." 

"You  will  be,  if  not  in  this  way,  in  some 
other ;  for  power  of  some  sort  is  in  you.  Believe 
it,  and  wait  for  it  to  show  itself,"  said  Gladys, 
anxious  to  add  patience  and  courage  to  the  new 
humility  and  sincerity,  which  could  not  fail  to 
ennoble  and  strengthen  him  in  time. 

"  Bless  you  for  that !  "  he  answered,  gratefully, 
and  hurried  on.  "  It  came  about  in  this  wise : 
one  day  my  master  —  he  was  then,  but  is  no 


260       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

longer,  thank  God  !  —  sat  reading  over  a  mass 
of  old  papers,  before  destroying  them.  Here  he 
came  upon  verses  written  in  the  diaries  kept 
years  ago,  and  threw  them  to  me,  'to  laugh 
over,'  as  he  said.  I  did  not  laugh :  I  was  filled 
with  envy  and  admiration,  and  begged  him  to 
publish  them.  He  scorned  the  idea,  and  bade 
me  put  them  in  the  fire.  I  begged  to  keep 
them,  and  then,  —  Gladys,  I  swear  to  you  I  can 
not  tell  whether  I  read  the  project  in  his  face, 
or  whether  my  own  evil  genius  put  it  into  my 
head,  —  then  I  said,  audaciously,  though  hardly 
dreaming  he  would  consent,  'You  do  not  care 
for  fame,  and  throw  these  away  as  worthless  : 
I  long  for  it,  and  see  more  power  in  these  than 
in  any  I  can  hope  to  write  for  years,  perhaps  ; 
let  me  add  them  to  mine,  and  see  what  will  come 
of  it.'  '  Put  your  own  name  to  them,  if  you  do, 
and  take  the  consequences,'  he  answered,  in  that 
brusque  way  of  his,  which  seems  so  careless,  yet 
is  so  often  premeditated.  I  assented,  as  I  would 
have  done  to  any  thing  that  promised  a  quick 
trial  of  my  talent ;  for  in  my  secret  soul  I 
thought  some  of  my  songs  better  than  his  meta 
physical  verses,  which  impressed,  rather  than 
charmed  me.  The  small  imposture  seemed  to 
amuse  him ;  I  had  few  scruples  then,  and  we 


A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       26 1 

did  it,  with  much  private  jesting  about  Beau 
mont  and  Fletcher,  literary  frauds,  and  borrowed 
plumage.  You  know  the  rest.  The  book  suc 
ceeded,  but  he  saved  it ;  and  the  critics  left  me 
small  consolation,  for  my  songs  were  ignored  as 
youthful  ditties,  his  poem's  won  all  the  praise, 
and  /  was  pronounced  a  second  Shelley." 

"  But  he  ?  Did  he  claim  no  share  of  the  glory  ? 
Was  he  content  to  let  you  have  it  all  ? "  ques 
tioned  Gladys,  trying  to  understand  a  thing  so 
foreign  to  her  nature  that  it  seemed  incredible. 

"  Yes  ;  I  offered  to  come  down  from  my  high 
place,  as  soon  as  I  realized  how  little  right  I 
had  to  it.  But  he  forbade  me,  saying,  what  I  was 
fool  enough  to  believe,  that  my  talent  only 
needed  time  and  culture,  and  the  sunshine  of 
success  to  ripen  it ;  that  notoriety  would  be  a 
burden  to  him,  since  he  had  neither  health  to 
sustain  nor  spirits  to  enjoy  it ;  that  in  me  he 
would  live  his  youth  over  again,  and,  in  return 
for  such  help  as  he  could  give,  I  should  be  a 
son  to  him.  That  touched  and  won  me ;  now 
I  can  see  in  it  a  trap  to  catch  and  hold  me,  that 
he  might  amuse  himself  with  my  folly,  play  the 
generous  patron,  and  twist  my  life  to  suit  his 
ends.  He  likes  curious  and  costly  toys  ;  he  had 
one  then,  and  has  not  paid  for  it  yet." 


262       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  This  other  book  ?  Tell  me  of  that,  and 
speak  low,  or  he  may  hear  us,"  whispered 
Gladys,  trembling  lest  fire  and  powder  should 
meet. 

With  a  motion  of  his  foot  Canaris  sent  the 
book  that  lay  between  them  spinning  across  the 
hearth-rug  out  of  sight,  and  answered,  with  a 
short,  exultant  laugh, — 

"  Ah !  there  the  fowler  was  taken  in  his  own 
snare.  I  did  not  see  it  then,  and  found  it  hard 
to  understand  why  he  should  exert  himself  to 
please  you  by  helping  me.  I  thought  it  was  a 
mere  freak  of  literary  rivalry ;  and,  when  I  taxed 
him  with  it,  he  owned  that,  though  he  cared 
nothing  for  the  world's  praise,  it  was  pleasant 
to  know  that  his  powers  were  still  unimpaired, 
and  be  able  to  laugh  in  his  sleeve  at  the  deluded 
critics.  That  was  like  him,  and  it  deceived  me 
till  to-day.  Now  I  know  that  he  begrudged 'me 
your  admiration,  wanted  your  tears  and  smiles 
for  himself,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  steal  them. 
The  night  he  so  adroitly  read  his  work  for  mine, 
he  tempted  me  through  you.  I  had  resolved  to 
deserve  the  love  and  honor  you  gave  me ;  and 
again  I  tried,  and  again  I  failed,  for  my  romance 
was  a  poor,  pale  thing  to  his.  He  had  read  it ; 
and,  taking  the  same  plot,  made  it  what  you 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       263 

know,  writing  as  only  such  a  man  could  write, 
when  a  strong  motive  stimulated  him  to  do  his 
best." 

"  But  why  did  you  submit  ?  Why  stand 
silent  and  let  him  do  so  false  a  thing  ?  "  cried 
poor  Gladys,  wondering  when  the  end  of  the 
tangle  would  come. 

"  At  first  his  coolness  staggered  me  ;  then  I 
was  curious  to  hear,  then  held  even,  against  my 
will,  by  admiration  of  the  thing  —  and  you.  I 
meant  to  speak  out,  I  longed  to  do  it ;  but  it 
was  very  hard,  while  you  were  praising  me  so  elo 
quently.  The  words  were  on  my  lips,  when  in 
his  face  I  saw  a  look  that  sealed  them.  He 
meant  that  I  should  utter  the  self-accusation 
which  would  lower  me  for  ever  and  raise  him 
in  your  regard.  I  could  not  bear  it.  There  was 
no  time  to  think,  only  to  feel,  and  I  vowed  to 
make  you  happy,  at  all  costs'.  I  hardly  thought 
he  would  submit ;  but  he  did,  and  I  believed  that 
it  was  through  surprise  at  being  outwitted  for 
the  moment,  or  pity  towards  you.  It  was  neither : 
he  fancied  I  had  discovered  his  secret,  and  he 
dared  not  defy  me  then." 

"  But  when  I  was  gone  ?  You  were  so  late 
that  night :  I  heard  your  voices,  sharp  and  angry, 
as  I  went  away." 


264       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Yes ;  that  was  my  hour,  and  I  enjoyed  it. 
He  had  often  twitted  me  with  the  hold  he  had 
on  my  name  and  fame,  and  I  bore  it ;  for,  till 
I  loved  you,  they  were  the  dearest  things  I 
owned.  That  night  I  told  him  he  should  not 
speak  ;  that  you  should  enjoy  your  pride  in 
me,  even  at  his  expense,  and  I  refused  to 
release  him  from  his  bond,  as  he  had,  more 
than  once,  refused  to  release  me  :  for  we  had 
sworn  never  to  confess  till  both  agreed  to  it. 
Good  heavens  !  how  low  he  must  have  thought 
I  had  fallen,  if  I  could  consent  to  buy  your  hap 
piness  at  the  cost  of  my  honor !  He  did  think 
it :  that  made  him  yield  ;  that  is  the  cause  of 
the  contempt  he  has  not  cared  to  hide  from  me 
since  then;  and  that  adds  a  double  edge  to  my 
hatred  now.  I  was  to  be  knave  as  well  as  fool ; 
and  while  I  blinded  myself  with  his  reflected 
light,  he  would  have  niched  my  one  jewel  from 
me.  Gladys,  save  me,  keep  me,  or  I  shall  do 
something  desperate  yet !  " 

•Beside  himself  with  humiliation,  remorse,  and 
wrath,  Canaris  flung  himself  down  before  her,  as 
if  only  by  clinging  to  that  frail  spar  could  he 
ride  out  the  storm  in  which  he  was  lost  without 
compass  or  rudder. 

Then  Gladys  showed  him  that  such  love  as 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       26$ 

hers  could  not  fail,  but,  like  an  altar-fire,  glowed 
the  stronger  for  every  costly  sacrifice  thrown 
therein.  Lifting  up  the  discrowned  head,  she 
laid  it  on  her  bosom  with  a  sweet  motherliness 
which  comforted  more  than  her  tender  words. 

"  My  poor  Felix !  you  have  suffered  enough 
for  this  deceit ;  I  forgive  it,  and  keep  my 
reproaches  for  the  false  friend  who  led  you 
astray." 

"  It  was  so  paltry,  weak,  and  selfish.  You 
must  despise  me,"  he  said,  wistfully,  still  think 
ing  more  of  his  own  pain  than  hers. 

"  I  do  despise  the  sin,  not  the  dear  sinner  who 
repents  and  is  an  honest  man  again." 

"  But  a  beggar." 

"  We  have  each  other.  Hush  !  stand  up  ; 
some  one  is  coming." 

Canaris  had  barely  time  to  spring  to  his  feet, 
when  Stern  came  in,  and  was  about  to  pass  on 
in  silence,  though  much  amazed  to  see  Gladys 
there  at  that  hour,  when  the  expression  of  the 
young  man's  face  made  him  forget  decorum  and 
stop  short,  exclaiming,  anxiously,  — 

"  Mr.  Felix,  what's  the  matter  ?  Is  master 
worse  ? " 

"  Safe  and  asleep.  Mrs.  Canaris  came  to  see 
what  I  was  about." 


266       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  Then,  sir,  if  I  may  make  so  bold,  the  sooner 
she  gets  to  bed  again  the  better.  It  is  far  too 
late  for  her  to  be  down  here  ;  the  poor  young 
lady  looks  half-dead,"  Stern  whispered,  with  the 
freedom  of  an  old  servant. 

"  You  are  right.  Come,  love  ; "  and  without 
another  word  Canaris  led  her  away,  leaving  Stern 
to  shake  his  gray  head  as  he  looked  after  them. 

Gladys  was  utterly  exhausted  ;  and  in  the  hall 
she  faltered,  saying,  with  a  patient  sigh,  as  she 
looked  up  the  long  stairway,  "  Dear,  wait  a  little  ; 
it  is  so  far,  —  my  strength  is  all  gone." 

Canaris  caught  her  in  his  arms  and  carried 
her  away,  asking  himself,  with  a  remorseful  pang 
that  rent  his  heart,  — 

"  Is  this  the  murder  I  have  committed  ? " 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       267 


XVII. 

TERN!" 
"  Yes,  sir." 

"  What  time  is  it  ? " 

"  Past  two,  sir." 

"  What  news  ?  I  see  bad  tidings  of  some  sort 
in  that  lugubrious  face  of  yours ;  out  with  it ! " 

"  The  little  boy  arrived  at  dawn,  sir,"  answered 
old  Stern,  with  a  paternal  air. 

"  What  little  boy  ? " 

"  Canaris,  Jr.,  sir,"  simpered  the  valet,  ventur 
ing  to  be  jocose. 

"  The  deuce  he  did !  Precipitate,  like  his 
father.  Where  is  Felix  ? " 

"  With  her,  sir.  In  a  state  of  mind,  as  well  he 
may  be,  letting  that  delicate  young  thing  sit  up 
to  keep  him  company  over  his  poetry  stuff," 
muttered  Stern,  busying  himself  with  the  shut 
ters. 

"  Sit  up !  when  ?  where  ?  what  are  you  maun 
dering  about,  man  ? "  and  Helwyze  himself  sat 


268       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

up  among  the  pillows,  looking  unusually  wide 
awake. 

"Last  night,  sir,  in  the  study.  Mr.  Felix 
made  me  go  for  a  wink  of  sleep,  and  when  I 
came  back,  about  one,  there  sat  Mrs.  Canaris  as 
white  as  her  gown,  and  him  looking  as  wild  as  a 
hawk.  Something  was  amiss,  I  could  see  plain 
enough,  but  it  wasn't  my  place  to  ask  questions ; 
so  I  just  made  bold  to  suggest  that  it  was  late 
for  her  to  be  up,  and  he  took  her  away,  looking 
dazed-like.  That's  all  I  know,  sir,  till  I  found 
the  women  in  a  great  frustration  this  morning." 

"  And  I  slept  through  it  all  ? " 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  so  soundly,  I  was  a  bit  anxious  till 
you  waked.  I  found  the  glass  empty  and  the 
bottle  smashed,  and  I  was  afraid  you  might 
have  taken  too  much  of  that  choral  while  half- 
asleep." 

"  No  fear ;  nothing  kills  me.  Now  get  me 
up ; "  and  Helwyze  made  his  toilet  with  a  speed 
and  energy  which  caused  Stern  to  consider 
" choral"  a  wonderful  discovery. 

A  pretence  of  breakfast;  then  Helwyze  sat 
down  to  wait  for  further  tidings,  —  externally 
quite  calm,  internally  tormented  by  a  great  anx 
iety,  till  Olivia  came  in,  full  of  cheering  news 
and  sanguine  expectations. 


A  MODERN  MEPHTSTOPHELES.        269 

"  Gladys  is  asleep,  with  baby  on  her  arm,  and 
Felix  adoring  in  the  background.  Poor  boy ! 
he  cannot  bear  much,  and  is  quite  bowed  down 
with  remorse  for  something  he  has  done.  Do 
you  know  what?" 

As  she  spoke,  Olivia  stooped  to  pick  up  a 
book  half-hidden  by  the  fringe  of  a  low  chair. 
It  lay  face  downward,  and,  in  smoothing  the 
crumpled  leaves  before  closing  it,  she  caught 
sight  of  a  black  and  blotted  name.  So  did  Hel- 
wyze  ;  a  look  of  intelligence  flashed  over  his 
face,  and,  taking  the  volume  quickly,  he  an 
swered,  with  his  finger  on  the  title-page, — 

"Yes,  now  I  know,  and  so  may  you;  for  if 
one  woman  is  in  the  secret,  it  will  soon  be  out. 
Felix  wrote  that,  and  it  is  true." 

"  I  thought  so  !  One  woman  has  known  it  for 
a  long  time ;  nevertheless,  the  secret  was  kept 
for  your  sake  ; "  and  Olivia's  dark  face  sparkled 
with  malicious  merriment,  as  she  saw  the  expres 
sion  of  mingled  annoyance,  pride,  and  pleasure 
in  his. 

"  My  compliments  and  thanks  :  you  are  the 
eighth  wonder  of  the  world.  But  what  led  you 
to  suspect  this  little  fraud  of  ours  ? " 

"  I  did  not,  till  the  last  book  came  ;  then  I 
was  struck  here  and  there  by  certain  peculiar 


2/0       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

phrases,  certain  tender  epithets,  which  I  think 
no  one  ever  heard  from  your  lips  but  me.  These, 
in  the  hero's  mouth,  made  me  sure  that  you  had 
helped  Canaris,  if  not  done  the  whole  yourself, 
and  his  odd  manner  at  times  confirmed  my  sus 
picion." 

"You  have  a  good  memory  :  I  forgot  that." 

"I  have  had  so  few  such  words  from  you 
that  it  is  easy  to  remember  them,"  murmured 
Olivia,  reproachfully. 

It  seemed  to  touch  him  ;  for  just  then  he 
felt  deserted,  well  knowing  that  he  had  lost 
both  Felix  and  Gladys  ;  but  Olivia  never  would 
desert  him,  no  matter  what  discovery  was  made, 
or  who  might  fall  away.  He  thanked  her  for 
her  devotion,  with  the  first  ray  of  hope  given  for 
years,  as  he  said,  in  the  tone  so  seldom  heard,  — 

"  You  shall  have  more  henceforth  ;  for  you 
are  a  staunch  friend,  and  now  I  have  no  other." 

"  Dear  Jasper,  you  shall  never  find  me  want 
ing.  /  will  be  true  to  the  death ! "  she  cried, 
blooming  suddenly  into  her  best  and  brightest 
beauty,  with  the  delight  of  this  rare  moment. 
Then,  fearing  to  express  too  much,  she  wisely 
turned  again  to  Felix,  asking  curiously,  "  But 
why  did  you  let  this  young  daw  deck  himself 
out  in  your  plumes  ?  It  enrages  me,  to  think 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       271 

of  his  receiving  the  praise  and  honor  due  to 
you." 

He  told  her  briefly,  adding,  with  more  than 
his  accustomed  bitterness,  — 

"  What  did  /  want  with  praise  and  honor  ? 
To  be  gaped  and  gossiped  about  would  have 
driven  me  mad.  It  pleased  that  vain  boy  as 
much  as  fooling  the  public  amused  me.  A  whim, 
and,  being  a  dishonest  one,  we  shall  both  have 
to  pay  for  it,  I  suppose." 

"What  will  he  do?" 

"  He  has  told  Gladys,  to  begin  with ;  and,  if  it 
had  been  possible,  would  have  taken  some  deci 
sive  step  to-day.  He  can  do  nothing  sagely  and 
quietly :  there  must  be  a  dramatic  denouement 
to  every  chapter  of  his  life.  I  think  he  has  one 
now."  Helwyze  laughed,  as  he  struck  back  the 
leaves  of  the  book  he  still  held,  and  looked  at 
the  dashing  signature  of  his  own  name. 

"He  wrote  that,  then  ?"  asked  Olivia. 

"Yes,  here,  at  midnight,  while  I  lay  asleep 
and  let  him  tell  the  tale  as  he  liked  to  Gladys. 
No  wonder  it  startled  her,  so  tragically  given. 
The  sequel  may  be  more  tragic  yet :  I  seem  to 
feel  it  in  the  air." 

"What  shall  you  do?"  asked  Olivia,  more 
anxiously  than  before ;  for  Helwyze  looked  up 


2/2       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

with  as  sinister  an  expression  as  if  he  knew  how 
desperate  an  enemy  had  stood  over  him  last 
night,  and  when  his  own  turn  came,  would  be 
less  merciful. 

"  Do  ?  Nothing.  They  will  go ;  I  shall  stay  ; 
tongues  will  wag,  and  I  shall  be  tormented.  I 
shall  seem  the  gainer,  he  the  loser ;  but  it  will 
not  be  so." 

Involuntarily  his  eye  went  tp  the  little  chair 
where  Gladys  would  sit  no  longer,  and  dark 
ened  as  if  some  light  had  gone  out  which  used 
to  cheer  and  comfort  him.  Olivia  saw  it,  and 
could  not  restrain  the  question  that  broke  from 
her  lips,  — 

"  You  do  love  her,  Jasper  ? " 

"I  shall  miss  her;  but  you  shall  take  her 
place." 

Calm  and  a  little  scornful  was  his  face,  his 
voice  quite  steady,  and  a  smile  was  shed  upon 
her  with  the  last  welcome  words.  But  Olivia 
was  not  deceived  :  the  calmness  was  unnatural, 
the  voice  too  steady,  the  smile  too  sudden  ;  and 
her  heart  sank  as  she  thanked  him,  without 
another  question.  For  a  while  they  sat  together 
playing  well  their  parts,  then  she  went  away  to 
Gladys,  and  he  was  left  to  several  hours  of  soli 
tary  musing. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       273 

Had  he  been  a  better  man,  he  would  not  have 
sinned  ;  had  he  been  a  worse  one,  he  could  not 
have  suffered;  being  what  he  was,  he  did  both, 
and,  having  no  one  else  to  study  now,  looked 
deeply  into  himself,  and  was  dismayed  at  what 
he  saw.  For  the  new  love,  purer,  yet  more 
hopeless  than  the  old,  shone  like  a  star  above 
an  abyss,  showing  him  whither  he  had  wandered 
in  the  dark. 

Sunset  came,  filling  the  room  with  its  soft 
splendor ;  and  he  watched  the  red  rays  linger 
longest  in  Gladys's  corner.  Her  little  basket 
stood  as  she  left  it,  her  books  lay  orderly,  her 
desk  was  shut,  a  dead  flower  drooped  from 
the  slender  vase,  and  across  the  couch  trailed  a 
soft  white  shawl  she  had  been  wont  to  wear. 
Helwyze  did  not  approach  the  spot,  but  stood 
afar  off  looking  at  these  small  familiar  things 
with  the  melancholy  fortitude  of  one  inured  to 
loss  and  pain.  Regret  rather  than  remorse 
possessed  him  as  he  thought,  drearily, — 

"  A  year  to-morrow  since  she  came.  How 
shall  I  exist  without  her  ?  Where  will  her  new 
home  be  ? " 

An  answer  was  soon  given  to  the  last  ques 
tion  ;  for,  while  his  fancy  still  hovered  about  that 
nook,  and  the  gentle  presence  which  had  vanished 

12*  R 


2/4       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES, 

as  the  sunshine  was  fast  vanishing,  Canaris 
came  in  wearing  such  an  expression  of  despair, 
that  Helwyze  recoiled,  leaving  half- uttered  a 
playful  inquiry  about  "  the  little  son." 

"  I  have  no  son." 

"  Dead  ? " 

"  Dead.     I  have  murdered  both." 

"  But  Gladys  ? " 

"Dying;  she  asks  for  you,  —  come!"  No 
need  of  that  hoarse  command ;  Helwyze  was 
gone  at  the  first  word,  swiftly  through  room  and 
hall,  up  the  stairs  he  had  not  mounted  for 
months,  straight  to  that  chamber-door.  There 
a  hand  clutched  his  shoulder,  a  breathless  voice 
said,  "  Here  /  am  first ; "  and  Canaris  passed  in 
before  him,  motioning  away  a  group  of  tearful 
women  as  he  went. 

Helwyze  lingered,  pale  and  panting,  till  they 
were  gone ;  then  he  looked  and  listened,  as  if 
turned  to  stone,  for  in  the  heart  of  the  hush 
lay  Gladys,  talking  softly  to  the  dead  baby  on 
her  arm.  Not  mourning  over  it,  but  yearning 
with  maternal  haste  to  follow  and  cherish  the 
creature  of  her  love. 

"  Only  a  day  old  ;  so  yourfg  to  go  away  alone. 
Even  in  heaven  you  will  want  your  mother,  dar 
ling,  and  she  will  come.  Sleep,  my  baby,  I  will 
be  with  you  when  you  wake." 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       2?$ 

A  stifled  sound  of  anguish  recalled  the  happy 
soul,  already  half-way  home,  and  Gladys  turned 
her  quiet  eyes  to  her  husband  bending  over  her. 

"  Dear,  will  he  come  ? "  she  whispered. 

"  He  is  here." 

He  was  ;  and,  standing  on  either  side  the  bed, 
the  two  men  seemed  unconscious  of  each  other, 
intent  only  upon  her.  Feebly  she  drew  the 
white  cover  over  the  little  cold  thing  in  her 
bosom,  as  if  too  sacred  for  any  eyes  but  hers  to 
see,  then  lifted  up  her  hand  with  a  beseeching 
glance  from  one  haggard  face  to  the  other. 
They  understood  ;  each  gave  the  hand  she  asked,  • 
and,  holding  them  together  with  the  last  effort 
of  failing  strength,  she  said,  clear  and  low,  — 

"  Forgive  each  other  for  my  sake." 

Neither  spoke,  having  no  words,  but  by  a 
mute  gesture  answered  as  she  wished.  Some 
thing  brighter  than  a  smile  rested  on  her  face, 
and,  as  if  satisfied,  she  turned  again  to  Canaris, 
seeming  to  forget  all  else  in  the  tender  farewell 
she  gave  him. 

"  Remember,  love,  remember  we  shall  be 
waiting  for  you.  The  new  home  will  not  be 
home  to  us  until  you  come." 

As  her  detaining  touch  was  lifted,  the  two 
hands  fell  apart,  never  to  meet  again.  Canaris 


276       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

knelt  down  to  lay  his  head  beside  hers  on  the 
pillow,  to  catch  the  last  accents  of  the  beloved 
voice,  sweet  even  now.  Helwyze,  forgotten  by 
them  both,  drew  back  into  the  shadow  of  the 
deep  red  curtains,  still  studying  with  an  awful 
curiosity  the  great  mystery  of  death,  asking, 
even  while  his  heart  grew  cold  within  him, — 
"  Will  the  failjh.  she  trusted  sustain  her  now  ? " 
It  did  ;  for,  leaning  on  the  bosom  of  Infinite 
Love,  like  a  confiding  child  in  its  father's  arms, 
without  a  doubt  or  fear  to  mar  her  peace,  a 
murmur  or  lament  to  make  the  parting  harder, 
Gladys  went  to  her  own  place. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       277 


XVIII. 

in  that  sleep  of  death,  what  dreams 
may  come.  Is  this  one  ? "  was  the  vague 
feeling,  rather  than  thought,  of  which  Helwyze 
was  dimly  conscious,  as  he  lay  in  what  seemed 
a  grave,  so  cold,  so  dead  he  felt ;  so  powerless 
and  pent,  in  what  he  fancied  was  his  coffin.  He 
remembered  the  slow  rising  of  a  tide  of  helpless 
ness  which  chilled  his  blood  and  benumbed  his 
brain,  till  the  last  idea  to  be  distinguished  was, 
"  I  am  dying :  shall  I  meet  Gladys  ? "  then  came 
oblivion,  and  now,  what  was  this  ? 

Something  was  alive  still  —  something  which 
strove  to  see,  move,  speak,  yet  could  not,  till  the 
mist,  which  obscured  every  sense,  should  clear 
away.  A  murmur  was  in  the  air,  growing 
clearer  every  instant,  as  it  rose  and  fell,  like 
the  muffled  sound  of  waves  upon  a  distant 
shore.  Presently  he  recognized  human  voices, 
and  the  words  they  uttered,  —  words  which  had 
no  meaning,  till,  like  an  electric  shock,  intelli 
gence  returned,  bringing  with  it  a  great  fear. 


2/8       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

Olivia  was  mourning  over  him,  and  he  felt  her 
tears,  upon  his  face ;  but  it  was  not  this  which 
stung  him  to  sudden  life,  —  it  was  another  voice, 
saying,  low,  but  with  a  terrible  distinctness,  — 

"There  is  no  hope.  He  may  remain  so  for 
some  years ;  but  sooner  or  later  the  brain  will 
share  the  paralysis  of  the  body,  and  leave  our 
poof  friend  in  a  state  I  grieve  to  think  of." 

"  No ! "  burst  from  Helwyze,  with  an  effort 
which  seemed  to  dispel  the  trance  which  held 
his  faculties.  Stir  he  could  not,  but  speak  he 
did,  and  opened  wide  the  eyes  which  had  been 
closed  for  hours.  With  the  unutterable  relief 
of  one  roused  from  a  nightmare  he  recognized 
his  own  room,  Olivia's  tender  face  bent  over 
him,  and  his  physician  holding  a  hand  that  had 
no  feeling  in  it. 

"  Not  dead  yet ; "  he  muttered,  with  a  feeble 
sort  of  exultation,  adding,  with  as  feeble  a 
despair  and  doubt,  "  but  she  is.  Did  I  dream 
that?" 

"Alas,  no!"  and  Olivia  wiped  away  her  own 
tears  from  the  forehead  which  began  to  work 
with  the  rush  of  returning  memory  and  thought. 

"  What  does  this  numbness  mean  ?  Why  are 
you  here  ? "  he  asked,  as  his  eye  went  from  one 
face  to  the  other. 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPIIELES.       2/9 

"  Dear  Jasper,  it  means  that  you  are  ill.  Stern 
found  you  unconscious  in  your  chair  last  night. 
You  are  much  better  now,  but  it  alarmed  us,  for 
we  thought  you  dead,"  replied  Olivia,  knowing 
that  he  would  have  the  truth  at  any  cost. 

"  I  remember  thinking  it  was  death,  and  being 
glad  of  it.  Why  did  you  bring  me  back  ?  I  had 
no  wish  to  come." 

She  forgave  the  ingratitude,  and  went  on 
chafing  the  cold  hand  so  tenderly,  that  Helwyze 
reproached  no  more,  but,  turning  to  the  physi 
cian,  demanded,  with  a  trace  of  the  old  imperious- 
ness  coming  back  into  his  feeble  voice,  — 

"  Is  this  to  be  the  end  of  it  ?  " 

"  I  fear  so,  Mr.  Helwyze.  You  will  not  suffer 
any  more,  let  that  comfort  you." 

"  My  body  may  not,  but  my  mind  will  suffer 
horribly.  Good  heavens,  man,  do  you  call  this 
death  in  life  a  comfortable  end  ?  How  long 
have  I  got  to  lie  here  watching  my  wits  go  ? " 

"  It  is  impossible  to  say." 

"  But  certain,  sooner  or  later  ? " 

"There  is  a  chance, — your  brain  has  been 
overworked  :  it  must  have  rest,"  began  the  doctor, 
trying  to  soften  the  hard  facts,  since  his  patient 
would  have  them. 

"  Rest !    kill  me  at   once,  then ;  annihilation 


280       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

would  be  far  better  than  such  rest  as  that.  I 
will  not  lie  here  waiting  for  imbecility, — put  an 
end  to  this,  or  let  me ! "  cried  Helwyze,  strug 
gling  to  lift  his  powerless  right  hand ;  and,  find 
ing  it  impossible,  he  looked  about  him  with  ah 
impotent  desperation  which  wrung  Olivia's  heart, 
and  alarmed  the  physician,  although  he  had  long 
foreseen  this  climax. 

Both  vainly  tried  to  soothe  and  console ;  but 
after  that  one  despairing  appeal  Helwyze  turned 
his  face  to  the  wall,  and  lay  so  for  hours. 
Asleep,  they  hoped,  but  in  reality  tasting  the 
first  bitterness  of  the  punishment  sent  upon 
him  as  an  expiation  for  the  sin  of  misusing  one 
of  Heaven's  best  gifts.  No  words  could  describe 
the  terror  such  a  fate  had  for  him,  since  intellect 
had  been  his  god,  and  he  already  felt  it  tottering 
to  its  fall.  On  what  should  he  lean,  if  that  were 
taken  ?  where  see  any  ray  of  hope  to  make  the 
present  endurable  ?  where  find  any  resignation 
to  lighten  the  gloom  of  such  a  future  ? 

Restless  mind  and  lawless  will,  now  impris 
oned  in  a  helpless  body,  preyed  on  each  other 
like  wild  creatures  caged,  finding  it  impossible 
to  escape,  and  as  impossible  to  submit.  Death 
would  not  have  daunted  him,  pain  he  had  learned 
to  endure  ;  but  this  slow  decay  of  his  most  pre- 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       28 1 

cious  possession  he  could  not  bear,  and  suffered 
a  new  martyrdom  infinitely  sharper  than  the  old. 

How  time  went  he  never  knew  ;  for,  although 
merciful  unconsciousness  was  denied  him,  his 
thoughts,  like  avenging  Euries,  drove  him  from 
one  bitter  memory  to  another,  probing  his  soul 
as  he  had  probed  others,  and  tormenting  him 
with  an  almost  supernatural  activity  of  brain  be 
fore  its  long  rest  began.  Ages  seemed  to  pass, 
while  he  took  no  heed  of  what  went  on  about 
him.  People  came  and  went,  faces  bent  over 
him,  hands  ministered  to  him,  and  voices  whis 
pered  in  the  room.  He  knew  all  this,  without 
the  desire  to  do  so,  longing  only  to  forget  and 
be  forgotten,  with  an  increasing  irritation,  which 
slowly  brought  him  back  from  that  inner  world 
of  wordless  pain  to  the  outer  one,  which  must 
be  faced,  and  in  some  fashion  endured. 

Olivia  still  sat  near  him,  as  if  she  had  not 
stirred,  though  it  was  morning  when  last  he 
spoke,  and  now  night  had  come.  The  familiar 
room  was  dim  and  still,  every  thing  already  or 
dered  for  his  comfort,  and  the  brilliant  cousin 
had  transformed  herself  into  a  quiet  nurse.  The 
rustling  silks  were  replaced  by  a  soft,  gray  gown  ; 
the  ornaments  all  gone ;  even  the  fine  hair  was 
half-hidden  by  the  little  kerchief  of  lace  tied  over 


282        4  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

it.  Yet  never  had  Olivia  been  more  beautiful ; 
for  now  the  haughty  queen  had  changed  to  a 
sad  woman,  wearing  for  her  sole  ornaments  con 
stancy  and  love.  Worn  and  weary  she  looked, 
but  a  sort  of  sorrowful  content  was  visible,  a 
jealous  tenderness,  which  plainly  told  that  for 
her,  at  least,  there  was  a  drop  of  honey  even  in 
the  new  affliction,  since  it  made  him  more  her 
own  than  ever. 

"Poor  soul!  she  promised  to  be  faithful  to 
the  death ;.  and  she  will  be,  —  even  such  a  death 
as  this." 

A  sigh,  that  was  almost  a  groan,  broke  from 
Helwyze  as  the  thought  came,  and  Olivia  was 
instantly  at  his  side. 

"  Are  you  suffering,  Jasper  ?  What  can  I  do 
for  you  ? "  she  said,  with  such  a  passionate  desire 
to  serve  or  cheer,  that  he  could  not  but  answer, 
gently,  — 

"  I  am  done  with  pain :  teach  me  to  be 
patient." 

"  Oh,  if  I  could !  we  must  learn  that  to 
gether,"  she  said,  feeling  with  him  how  sorely 
both  would  need  the  meek  virtue  to  sustain  the 
life  before  them. 

"  Where  is  Felix  ? "  asked  Helwyze,  after 
lying  for  a  while,  with  his  eyes  upon  the  fire,  as 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       283 

if  they,  would  absorb  its  light  and  warmth  into 
their  melancholy  depths. 

"Mourning  for  Gladys,"  replied  Olivia,  fear 
ing  to  touch  the  dangerous  topic,  yet  anxious  to 
know  how  the  two  men  stood  toward  one  an 
other;  for  something  in  the  manner  of  the 
younger,  when  the  elder  was  mentioned,  made 
her  suspect  some  stronger,  sadder  tie  between 
them  than  the  one  she  had  already  guessed. 

"  Does  he  know  of  this  ?"  and  Helwyze  struck 
himself  a  feeble  blow  with  the  one  hand  which 
he  could  use,  now  lying  on  his  breast. 

"Yes." 

"  What  does  he  say  of  me  ? " 

"  Nothing." 

"  I  must  see  him:" 

"  You  shall.  I  asked  him  if  he  had  no  word 
for  you,  and  he  answered,  with  a  strange  expres 
sion,  '  When  I  have  buried  my  dead  I  will  come, 
for  the  last  time.' " 

"  How  does  he  look  ? "  questioned  Helwyze, 
curious  to  see,  even  through  another's  eyes,  the 
effect  of  sorrow  upon  the  man  whom  he  had 
watched  so  long  and  closely. 

"  Sadly  broken  ;  but  he  is  young  and  san 
guine  :  he  will  soon  forget,  and  be  happy  again  ; 
so  do  not  let  a  thought  of  him  disturb  you, 
Jasper." 


284       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

"  It  does  not :  we  made  our  bargain,  and  held 
each  other  to  it,  till  he  chose  to  break  it.  Let 
him  bear  the  consequences,  as  I  do." 

"Alas,  they  fall  on  him  far  less  heavily  than 
on  you !  He  has  all  the  world  before  him 
where  to  choose,  while  you  have  nothing  left  — 
but  me." 

He  did  not  seem  to  hear  her,  and  fell  into  a 
gloomy  reverie,  which  she  dared  not  break,  but 
sat,  patiently  beguiling  her  lonely  watch  with 
sad  thoughts  of  the  twilight  future  they  were  to 
share  together,  —  a  future  which  might  have  been 
so  beautiful  and  happy,  had  true  love  earlier 
made  them  one. 

Another  day,  another  night,  then  there  were 
sounds  about  the  house  which  told  Helwyze  what 
was  passing,  without  the  need  of  any  question. 
He  asked  none ;  but  lay  silent  for  the  most 
part,  as  if  careless  or  unconscious  of  what  went 
on  around  him.  He  missed  Olivia  for  an  hour, 
and  when  she  returned,  traces  of  tears  upon  her 
cheeks  told  him  that  she  had  been  to  say  fare 
well  to  Gladys.  He  had  not  spoken  that  name 
even  to  himself ;  for  now  an  immeasurable  space 
seemed  to  lie  between  him  and  its  gentle  owner. 
She  had  gone  into  a  world  whither  he  could  not 
follow  her.  A  veil,  invisible,  yet  impenetrable, 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       285 

separated  them  for  ever,  he  believed,  and  nothing 
remained  to  him  but  a  memory  that  would  not 
die,  —  a  memory  so  bitter-sweet,  so  made  up  of 
remorse  and  reverence,  love  and  longing,  that  it 
seemed  to  waken  his  heart  from  its  long  sleep, 
and  kindle  in  it  a  spark  of  the  divine  fire,  whose 
flame  purified  while  it  consumed ;  for  even  in 
his  darkness  and  desolation  he  was  not  forgot 
ten. 

Late  that  day  Canaris  came,  looking  like  a 
man  escaped  from  a  great  shipwreck,  with  noth 
ing  left  him  but  his  life.  Unannounced  he 
entered,  and,  with  the  brevity  which  in  moments 
of  strong  feeling  is  more  expressive  than  elo 
quence,  he  said, — 

"  I  am  going." 

"  Where  ?  "  asked  Helwyze,  conscious  that  any 
semblance  of  friendship,  any  word  of  sympathy, 
was  impossible  between  them. 

"  Out  into  the  world  again." 

"  What  will  you  do  ?  " 

"  Any  honest  work  I  can  find." 

"  Let  me  "  - 

"  No  !  I  will  take  nothing  from  you.  Poor  as 
I  came,  I  will  go,  —  except  the  few  relics  I  pos 
sess  of  her." 

A  traitorous  tremor  in  the  voice  which  was 


286       A  MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

stern  with  repressed  emotion  warned  Canaris 
to  pause  there,  while  his  eye  turned  to  Olivia, 
as  if  reminded  of  some  last  debt  to  her.  From 
his  breast  he  drew  a  little  paper,  unfolded  it,  and 
took  out  what  looked  like  a  massive  ring  of  gold  ; 
this  he  laid  before  her,  saying,  with  a  softened 
mien  and  accent,  — 

"You  were  very  kind,  —  I  have  nothing  else 
to  offer,  —  let  me  give  you  this,  in  memory  of 
Gladys." 

Only  a  tress  of  sunny"  hair ;  but  Olivia  re 
ceived  the  gift  as  if  it  were  a  very  precious  one, 
thanking  him,  not  only  with  wet  eyes,  but  friendly 
words. 

"  Dear  Felix,  for  her  sake  let  me  help  you,  if  I 
can.  Do  not  go  away  so  lonely,  purposeless,  and 
poor.  The  world  is  hard ;  you  will  be  disheart 
ened,  and  turn  desperate,  with  no  one  to  love  and 
hope  and  work  for." 

"  I  must  help  myself.  I  am  poor ;  but  not 
purposeless,  nor  alone.  Disheartened  I  may  be : 
never  desperate  again  ;  for  I  have  some  one  to 
love  and  hope  and  work  for.  She  is  waiting  for 
me  somewhere :  I  must  make  myself  worthy  to 
follow  and  find  her.  I  have  promised ;  and,  God 
helping  me,  I  will  keep  that  promise." 

Very  humble,  yet  hopeful,  was  the  voice  ;  and 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.       287 

full  of  a  sad  courage  was  the  young  man's  altered 
face,  —  for  out  of  it  the  gladness  and  the  bloom 
of  youth  had  gone  for  ever,  leaving  the  strength 
of  a  noble  purpose  to  confront  a  life  which  here 
after  should  be  honest,  if  not  happy. 

Helwyze  had  not  the  infinite  patience  to  work 
in  marble ;  the  power  to  chisel  even  his  own 
divided  nature  into  harmony,  like  the  sculptor, 
who,  in  the  likeness  of  a  suffering  saint,  hewed 
his  own  features  out  of  granite.  He  could  only 
work  in  clay,  as  caprice  inspired  or  circum 
stance  suggested;  forgetting  that  life's  stream  of 
mixed  and  molten  metals  would  flow  over  his 
faulty  models,  fixing  unalterably  both  beauty  and 
blemish.  He  had  found  the  youth  plastic  as 
clay,  had  shaped  him  as  he  would  ;  till,  tiring  of 
the  task,  he  had  been  ready  to  destroy  his  work. 
But  the  hand  of  a  .greater  Master  had  dropped 
into  the  furnace  the  gold  of  an  enduring  love,  to 
brighten  the  bronze  in  which  suffering  and  time 
were  to  cast  the  statue  of  the  man.  Helwyze 
saw  this  now,  and  a  pang  of  something  sharper 
than  remorse  wrung  from  him  the  reluctant 
words,  — 

"Take,  as  my  last  gift,  the  fame  which  has 
cost  you  so  much.  I  will  never  claim  it :  to  me 
it  is  an  added  affliction,  to  you  it  may  be  a  help. 


288       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

Keep  it,  I  implore  you,  and  give  me  the  pardon 
she  asked  of  you." 

But  Canaris  turned  on  him  with  the  air  of  one 
who  cries,  "Get  thee  behind  me!"  and  answered 
with  enough  of  the  old  vehemence  to  prove  that 
grief  had  not  yet  subdued  the  passionate  spirit 
which  had  been  his  undoing,  — 

"  It  is  no  longer  in  your  power  to  tempt  me, 
or  in  mine  to  be  tempted,  by  my  bosom  sin. 
Forsythe  knows  the  truth,  and  the  world  already 
wonders.  I  will  earn  a  better  fame  for  myself : 
keep  this,  and  enjoy  it,  if  you  can.  Pardon  I 
cannot  promise  yet;  but  I  give  you  my  pity, 
'for  her  sake.'" 

With  that  —  the  bitterest  word  he  could  have 
uttered  —  Canaris  was  gone,  leaving  Helwyze  to 
writhe  under  the  double  burden  imposed  by  one 
more  just  than  generous.  Olivia  durst  not  speak ; 
and,  in  the  silence,  both  listened  to  the  hasty 
footsteps  that  passed  from  room  to  room,  till  a 
door  closed  loudly,  and  they  knew  that  Canaris 
had  set  forth  upon  that  long  pilgrimage  which 
was  in  time  to  lead  him  up  to  Gladys. 

Helwyze  spoke  first,  exclaiming,  with  a  dreary 
laugh,  — 

"  So  much  for  playing  Providence  !  You  were 
right,  and  I  was  rash  to  try  it.  Goethe  could 


A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES.      289 

make  his  Satan  as  he  liked ;  but  Fate  was 
stronger  than  I,  and  so  comes  ignominious  failure. 
Margaret  dies,  and  Faust  suffers,  but  Mephis- 
topheles  cannot  go  with  him  on  his  new  wander 
ings.  Still,  it  holds  —  it  holds  even  to  the  last ! 
My  end  comes  too  soon ;  yet  it  is  true.  In  lov 
ing  the  angel  I  lose  the  soul  I  had  nearly  won ; 
the  roses  turn  to  flakes  of  fire,  and  the  poor 
devil  is  left  lamenting." 

Olivia  thought  him  wandering,  and  listened 
in  alarm  ;  for  his  thoughts  seemed  blown  to  and 
fro,  like  leaves  in  a  fitful  gust,  and  she  had  no 
clew  to  them.  Presently,  he  broke  out  again, 
still  haunted  by  the  real  tragedy  in  which  he  had 
borne  a  part ;  still  following  Canaris,  whose  free 
dom  was  like  the  thought  of  water  to  parched 
Tantalus. 

"  He  will  do  it !  he  will  do  it !  When  or 
how,  who  shall  say  ?  but,  soon  or  late,  she  will 
save  him,  since  he  believes  in  such  salvation. 
Would  that  I  did  ! " 

Perhaps  the  despairing  wish  was  the  seed  of  a 
future  hope,  which  might  blossom  into  belief. 
Olivia  trusted  so,  and  tried  to  murmur  some 
comfortable,  though  vague,  assurance  of  a  love 
and  pity  greater  even  than  hers.  He  did  not 
hear  her;  for  his  eyes  were  fixed,  with  an  ex- 
13  s 


290       A   MODERN  MEPHISTOPHELES. 

pression  of  agonized  yearning,  upon  the  sky, 
serene  and  beautiful,  but  infinitely  distant,  in 
exorably  dumb ;  and,  when  he  spoke,  his  words 
had  in  them  both  his  punishment  and  her 
own,  — 

"  Life  before  was  Purgatory,  now  it  is  Hell ; 
because  I  loved  her,  and  /  have  no  hope  to  fol 
low  and  find  her  again." 


PUBLISHERS'   ADVERTISEMENT. 


From  the  Boston  Daily  Advertiser. 

THE    "NO   NAME   SERIES." 

"  LEIGH  HUNT,  in  his  '  Indicator]  has  a  pleasant  chapter 
on  the  difficulty  he  encountered  in  seeking  a  suitable  and  fresh 
title  for  a  collection  of  his  miscellaneous  writings.  Messrs. 
Roberts  Brothers  have  just  overcome  a  similar  difficulty  in 
the  simplest  manner.  In  selecting  "No  NAME,"  they  have 
selected  the  very  best  title  possible  for  a  series  of  Original 
American  Novels  and  Tales,  to  be  published  Anonymously. 
These  novels  are  to  be  written  by  eminent  authors,  and  in 
each  case  the  authorship  of  the  work  is  to  remain  an  inviolable 
secret.  "  No  Name"  describes  the  Series  perfectly.  No  name 
will  help,  the  novel,  or  the  story,  to  success.  Its  success  will 
depend  solely  on  the  writer's  ability  to  catch  and  retain  the 
reader's  interest.  Several  of  the  most  distinguished  writers 
of  American  fiction  have  agreed  to  contribute  to  the  Series, 
the  initial  vohime  of  which  is  now  in  press.  Its  appearance 
will  certainly  be  awaited  with  curiosity." 


The  plan  thus  happily  foreshadowed  will  be  immediately 
inaugurated  by  the  publication  of  "  MERCY  PHILBRICK'S 
CHOICE,"  from  the  pen  of  a  well-known  and  successful  writer 
of  fiction. 

It  is  intended  to  include  in  the  Series  a  volume  of  anonymous 
poems  from  famous  hands,  to  be  written  especially  for  it. 

The  "  No  Name  Series  "  will  be  issued  at  convenient  inter 
vals,  in  handsome  library  form,  i6mo,  cloth,  price  $1.00  each. 

ROBERTS   BROTHERS,  PUBLISHERS. 

BOSTON,  Midsummer,  1876. 


THE    "NO    NAME    SERIES." 


•WHAT    IS    THOUGHT    OF    THE    PLAN. 

"The  first  of  the  'No  Name  Series'  of  novels  is  'Mercy  Philbrick's  Choice;'  and, 
if  its  successors  nearly  approach  the  excellence  of  this,  the  series  will  speedily  have  a 
very  wide  and  favorable  name."  — Hartford  Courant. 

"The  'No  Name  Series'  of  novels  is  rather  a  happy  idea  upon  the  part  of  the 
publishers.  Curiosity  will  naturally  stand  on  tiptoe,  eager  to  discover  through  the 
author's  style  his  or  her  identity."  —  Chicago  Daily  Inter-Ocean. 

"The  inauguration  of  the  'No  Name  Series'  was  a  happy  thought.  Nothing 
adds  fascination  to  a  really  good  literary  work  like  the  uncertainty  or  mystery  of  its 
authorship,  and  the  public  have  read  and  are  reading  the  new  novel  with  avidity,  in 
order  that  each  constituent  member  of  it  may  pass  judgment.  .  .  .  '  Mercy  Philbrick's 
Choice '  is  a  novel  that  will  give  the  '  No  Name  Series '  an  acknowledged  place  in 
literature,  and  stimulate  curiosity  to  meet  its  successors."  —  Boston  Post. 

"  If  the  succeeding  volumes  of  the  series  are  as  good  as  this,  its  success  will  be 
assured,  and  curiosity  will  run  high  concerning  the  authorship  of  the  various  volumes." 
—  New  York  Independent. 

"The  conception  of  the  series  is  entirely  unique.  .  .  .  '  Mercy  Philbrick's  Choice  ' 
is  a  felicitous  introduction  to  |ust  such  a  series  of  novels  as  the  one  projected,  and,  if 
merit  shall  decide  its  popularity,  an  enthusiastic  reception  may  be  predicted  for  the 
book."  —  Hartford  Post. 

"  It  is  a  good  idea."  —  Troy  Whig: 

"  If  its  successors  shall  prove  to  be  as  good  as  '  Mercy  Philbrick's  Choice'  is,  the 
fortune  of  the  series  is  well  assured."  —  New  York  Evening  Post. 

"  The  '  No  Name  Series'  promises  to  be  an  interesting  and  piquant  literary  enter 
prise."  —  Portland  Press* 

"  The  name  business  in  our  literature  is  terribly  overdone,  and,  if  the  remaining 
stories  of  this  series  are  as  good  and  clever  and  well  written  as  this  one  is,  '  Mercy 
Philbrick's  Choice,'  readers  will  learn  to  trust  more  to  their  own  taste  and  judgment, 
and  rely  less  on  reputations."  — New  York  Graphic. 

"  The  typographical  appearance  of  the  series  is  quite  tasteful,  paper,  type,  and  ink 
are  good,  and  the  page  shapely.  The  cover  is  black,  the  title  showing  in  black  against 
a  broad  red  bar;  while  to  avert  bad  luck  and  persuade  success  the  cover  presents,  also 
in  black  and  red,  the  four-leaved  clover  and  the  ancient  horseshoe."  —  The  New 
York  Christian  Union. 

"  The  story  is  a  very  pleasant  one,  and  will  make  a  very  favorable  impression  for 
the  whole  series."  —  Syracuse  Standard. 

"  The  plan  is  an  exceedingly  happy  one,  —  will  gradually  elevate  a  discriminating 
taste  and  establish  a  higher  standard  in  fiction."  —  Washington  Capital. 

"The  story  is  an  admirable  introduction  to  the  new  series,  which  has  for  its  motto, 
'  Is  the  gentleman  anonymous?  Is  he  a  great  unknown?'  and  appears  in  a  novel  and 
pretty  binding  of  black  and  red,  with  ornaments  of  four-leaved  clover  and  horse 
shoes." —  Boston  Daily  Advertiser, 

ROBERTS   BROTHERS,  PUBLISHERS, 

Boston. 


THE    "NO    NAME    SERIES." 

GUESSES   AT   THE   AUTHORSHIP 

OF 

"MERCY  PHILBRICK'S   CHOICE." 

"  'Aut  Saxe  Holm,  aut  Diaboius.'  .  .  .  Not  that  this  verdict  solves  the  conun 
drum,  for  there  remains  the  further  question,  Who  is  Saxe  Holm?  —  a  question  so 
complicated  with  assertions,  denials,  claims,  and  counter-claims,  as  to  count  among 
the  foremost  puzzles  of  the  age  "  — Boston  Transcript. 

"  Of  it  we  premise  this  much,  — that  it  was  written  by  a  woman.  If  no  other  ear 
marks  were  visible,  the  pretty  little  poems  thickly  interspersed  within  the  volume 
would  be  sufficient  to  fix  the  sex  of  the  writer."  —  Syracuse  Standard, 

"  The  pen  of  Saxe  Holm  —  unless  she  have  a  double  to  undo  her  —  is  clearly 
recognizable  in  the  initial  volume  of  the  series."  —  Portland  Press. 

"  After  all,  the  veil  of  concealment  is  not  a  very  dense  one,  and  it  would  not  be  diffi 
cult,  we  think,  to  lay  this  first  bantling  of  the  brood  very  near  to  its  parents'  door,  if  it 
were  worth  while  to  investigate  small  mysteries."  — New  York  Evening  Post. 

"  Doubtless  from  the  pen  of  Saxe  Holm,  whose  personality  is  one  of  the  best  kept 
secrets  in  the  literary  world."  —  Hartford  Post. 

"  Speaking  sub  rasa,  we  think  it  is  Elizabeth  Stoddard  Mary  Clemmer  Moulton." 
—  Boston  Courier. 

"  We  cannot  help  crediting  the  authoress  of  '  Dorothy  Fox'  with  having  furnished 
this  initial  volume  of  the  '  No  Name  Series.'  "  —  The  Liberal  Christian. 

"  It  is  of  no  use  to  talk  of  '  Saxe  Holm,'  for  that  probably  drags  in  another  per 
sonage,  and  sheds  a  flood  of  darkness  on  the  whole  transaction.  We  advise  everybody 
to  read  it,  and  select  his  own  author."  —  Hartford  Courant. 

"  We  hazard  the  opinion  that  the  author  is  H.  H."  —  New  Haven  Palladium. 

"  It  reads  a  little  like  Aldrich,  and  winds  up  very  much  in  the  same  incomplete 
and  irritating  style  as  '  Prudence  Palfrey.'  "  —  Chicago  Inter-Ocean. 

"  Two  hands  are  visible  in  the  work,  as  they  were  in  '  Saxe  Holm's'  stories,  which 
were  evidently  from  the  same  workshop.  I  take  one  of  these  hands  to  belong  to 
'  H.  H.,'  the  other  to  a  friend  and  admirer  of  hers."  —  Springfield  Republican. 

"If  neither  Mr.  Scudder  nor  Mr.  Weiss  wrote  the  book,  they  will  surely  be  offended 
at*  the  imputation  of  having  done  so,  and  the  wrath  of  the  actual  author  will  equal 
theirs."  —  Boston  Globe. 

"It  is  a  work  the  source  of  which  is  worth  guessing.  .  .  .  Three  authors,  whose 
first  name  is  Harriet,  are  successively  guessed  to  be  the  author  of  '  Mercy  Philbrick's 
Choice,'  —  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe,  Harriet  W.  Preston,  and  Harriet  Prescott  Spof- 
ford."  —  Saturday  Evening  Gazette. 

"  There  is  something  in  it  that  reminds  one  of  Harriet  W.  Preston."  —  Portland 
Transcript. 

"There  is  something  more  of  Dr.  Wendell  Holmes  about  it;  but,  curiously 
enough,  the  book  which  it  most  readily  brings  to  mind  is  one  altogether  dissimilar  in 
tone  and  execution,  Col.  Higginson's  Malbone.'  "  —  The  London  Academy. 

"  We  have  no  guess  as  to  the  authorship.  It  needs  no  artificial  stimulus  of  curi 
osity  to  make  the  volume  attractive  to  its  last  page." — New  York  Examiner  and 
Chronicle. 

"We  give  up  the  conundrum,  and  echo  the  query  of  the  title-page,  '  Is  he  (she)  a 
great  Unknown?"  —  The  Unitarian  Review. 

ROBERTS   BROTHERS,  PUBLISHERS, 

Boston. 


"TOWN    AND    COUNTRY    SERIES." 

BEN    MILNER'S  WOOING. 

BY  HOLME    LEE. 

"  It  is  a  pearl  among  novels,  so  fresh  and  pure.  We  will  not  forestall  the  reader's 
pleasure  by  telling  him  any  thing  of  the  story,  but  only  say  that  he  has  a  treat  in  store 
which  we  sincerely  envy  him."  —  Literary  World.  • 

"  '  Ben  Milner*s  Wooing,'  is  the  first  of  the  new  series.  It  is  a  pure,  wholesome, 
quiet  story,  by  'Holme  Lee.'  There  is  very  little  dramatic  element  in  the  story, 
and  nothing  at  all  exciting,  but  in  a  quiet,  gracious,  comely  way,  a  tale  of  loving  is 
told  which  every  reader  can  appreciate.  If  the  series  progresses  as  well  as  it  is  begun, 
the  very  title  will  be  sufficient  to  guarantee  acceptance  of  a  volume  to  be  used  for  the 
peaceful,  resting  hours  of  a  day.  Those  who  wish  highly-spiced  fare  must  seek  it 
elsewhere;  but  those  in  search  of  comfortable,  unexciting,  healthful  food,  will  find 
such  in  '  Ben  Milner's  Wooing.'  We  must  commend  the  beauty  of  the  volume,  its 
neatness  and  'handy'  shape."  —  Boston  Traveller. 

"  There  is  not  an  exciting  chapter  in  it,  and  yet  there  is  not  an  uninteresting  chap 
ter.  The  title  tells  the  whole  story.  The  characters  are  without  exception  capitally 
drawn,  and  the  book  is  one  which  the  reader  will  enjoy  from  beginning  to  end.  The 
binding  is  unique  in  style,  and  readers  will  be  thankful  for  the  convenient  book-mark 
which  is  attached." 

One  volume,  bound  in  cardinal  red  cloth,  black  lettered. 
Price  SI. 00. 


Our  publications  are  to  be  had  of  all  booksellers.     When  not  to 
be  found,  send  directly  to 

ROBERTS   BROTHERS,  PUBLISHERS, 

BOSTON. 


"  Books  should  to  one  of  these  four  ends  conduce : 
For  wisdom,  piety,  delight,  or  use." 

Sir  J.  DEN  HAM. 


TOWN  AND  COUNTRY  SERIES. 

It  will  be  the  aim  of  the  publishers  to  make  the  TOWN 
AND  COUNTRY  SERIES  a  collection  of  entertaining,  thoughtful, 
serious  works,  selected  from  the  choicest  home  and  foreign 
contemporary  literature ;  books  acceptable  at  all  seasons,  in 
both  Town  and  Country. 

Works  in  Preparation. 

BEN   MILNER'S   WOOING.     By  HOLME  LEE. 
SYRIAN   SUNSHINE.     By  THOMAS  G.  APPLETON. 

A  WINTER   STORY.     By  the  author  of  "  The  Rose 
Garden." 

FROM       TRADITIONAL       TO       RATIONAL 

FAITH ;    OR,   THE   WAY   I   CAME   FROM   BAPTIST  TO    LIB- 
i  RAL  CHRISTIANITY.      By  R.  ANDREW  GRIFFIN. 

G.    T.   T. ;    OR,  THE  WONDERFUL   ADVENTURES    OF  A 
PULLMAN.    By  Rev.  E.  E.  HALE. 


ROBERTS  BROTHERS,  Publishers, 

BOSTON. 
SPRING  OF  1877. 


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$1.50;  My  Sister  Jeannie,  $1.50. 

Six  of  One  by  Half  a  Dozen  of  the  Other.  By  Mrs.  STOWE, 
Mrs.  WHITNEY,  Miss  HALE,  Mr.  HALE,  Mr.  PERKINS,  and 
Mr.  LORING.  £1.50. 

ROBERTS    BROTHERS,  PUBLISHERS, 

Boston. 


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THE    "NO    NAME    SERIES." 


"IS    THAT    ALL?" 

"  In  some  respects,  this  is  the  best  of  the  three  volumes  yet  published  of 
this  series.  For,  though  it  does  not  go  so  deep  as  '  Mercy  Philbrick,'  nor 
deal  in  poetic  fancies  like  '  Deirdre,'  it  is  better  sustained  on  its  own  surface- 
level  than  either  of  those  romances.  It  is  not  a  romance  at  all  in  fact,  but 
a  pleasing  sketch,  somewhat  too  warmly  colored,  of  New  England  social  life 
in  the  well-bred  circle  of  a  small  city,  —  say  Hartford.  The  plot  is  simple  and 
direct,  and  the  story  closes  before  it  has  time  to  become  tiresome  in  any 
particular.  .  .  .  The  book  is  all  u  professes  to  be,  and  something  more,  and 
will  certainly  be  popular."  —  Springfield  Republican. 

"  The  new  novel  of  the  '  No  Name  Series '  belongs  of  right  to  the  class  of 
stories  which  men  and  women  take  with  them  on  vacation  journeys.  It  has 
little  plot,  and  what  little  there  is  is  of  the  slightest  kind.  It  is  meant  to  be 
light  and  amusing,  and  is  so  in  a  high  degree.  The  picture  it  gives  of  high 
life  in  a  provincial  city  is  very  fine,  and  a  spirit  of  bantering  which  runs 
through  it  makes  it  extremely  piquant.  As  to  the  authorship  it  is  idle  to 
guess.  We  leave  the  solution  of  the  question  to  the  reader's  own  skill  in 
reading  riddles,  and  commend  the  anonymous  book  to  his  attention  as  one 
which  will  entertain  him  greatly,  whether  or  not  he  can  guess  its  'origin." 
—  Ntv>  York  Evening  Post. 

"  '  Is  That  All  ? '  third  in  order  of  the  conundrums  at  which  the  Messrs. 
Roberts  have  set  the  world  a-guessing,  perplexes  conjecture  in  a  greater  degree 
than  its  predecessors.  Its  style  recalls  none  of  our  better-known  writers;  and, 
in  spite  of  the  assurance  of  the  publishers,  we  should  be  disposed  to  set  it 
down  as  the  work  of  a  fresh  hand,  were  it  not  for  the  practice  and  finish  which 
it  evinces.  It  is,  to  use,  its  own  words,  a  '  verj  meringue  of  a  story,'  light, 
crisp,  delicately  flavored  ;  but,  for  all  this  sketchiness,  it  is  full  of  real  character 
and  individuality.  .  .  .  There  is  a  great  deal  of  bright,  natural  conversation, 
some  capital  love-making,  and  both  humor  and  good-humor  in  the  pithy,  half- 
sarcastic  touches  which  glance  here  and  there  on  the  page  like  a  smile  out  of 
quizzical,  friendly  eyes."  —  Boston  Transcript. 

"  It  is  cleverly  constructed  in  plot,  and  has  the  rare  merit  of  seeming  too 
short.  The  style  is  bright  and  animated,  the  characters  are  evidently  drawn 
from  life,  and  spiritedly  drawn  at  that.  The  conversations  are  sparkling  and 
witty,  and  the  work  is  unmistakably  from  the  hand  of  one  thoroughly  ac 
quainted  with  the  world  and  with  good  society.  It  is  the  best  book  of  the 
series,  thus  far,  though,  as  the  author  says,  '  a  very  meringue  of  a  story.'  Its 
naturalness  is  not  the  least  of  its  charms.  We  have  been  thoroughly  delighted 
with  it,  and  we  assure  our  readers  that  they  will  derive  equal  pleasure  and  satis 
faction  from  its  perusal.  The  name  of  the  author  has  not  yet  transpired,  but 
we  hazard  the  guess  that  it  is  a  woman,  —  not  owing  to  any  effeminacy  or 
weakness  in  the  style,  but  from  the  fact  that  no  one  but  a  woman  would  write 
so  saucily  about  the  gentler  sex.  We  advise  everybody  to  read  tliis  clever  little 
story."  — Saturday  Gazette. 

In  one  volume,  lOiuo.    Cloth.    Gilt  and  red-lettered,    81.00. 

Our  publications  are  to  be  had  of  all  Booksellers.  When  not  to 
be  found,  send  directly  to 

ROBERTS   BROTHERS,  Publishers,  Boston. 


THE   "NO    NAME   SERIES." 


KISMET.    A  Nile  I 

Opinions,  generous  tributes  to  prenius,   ".    *W«-known  authors 
whose  names  are  anonym   us? 


ry  remarkable.  The 
but  the  book  itself  is 

1  use  the  word  with 
me  all  glowing  and 
.  .  Th»  conversa 


"  Well,   I    have  read  '  Kismet,'  and  it  is  certainl 
story  is  interesting,  —  any  well-told  love  story  is,  you  kno 
a  great  deal  more  so.     Descriptively  and  sentimental 
entire  respect,  —  it  is,  in  spots,  fairly  exquisite.     It  see 
overflowing  with  what  the  French  call  beautb  du 
lions  are  very  clever,  and 
plished  man  of  the  wor? 
great  promise,  if  you  w/ 
duce  the  conversation  o 
if  they  were  men,  —  no 

"  It  is  a  charming 
I  wish  I  had  it  all  n 
cent  and  joyous,  the   '^ 
edged,   and  the  de; 
any  thing  more,  — n 
.    .     .     You  must  give 
The  hand  that  gives  us  this  pleasure  v»u. 
quality  every  year,  I  think." 

"  '  Kismet '  is  indeed  a  delightful  story,  the  best  of  the  series  undoubtedly." 

"  If  '  Kismet '  is  the  first  work  of  a  young  lady,  as  reported,  it  shows  a  great 
gift  of  language,  and  powers  of  description  and  of  insight  into  character  and  life 
quite  uncommon.  ...  Of  the  whole  series  so  far,  I  think  '  Mercy  Philbrick's 
Choice '  is  the  best,  because  it  has,  beside  literary  merit,  some  moral  tone  and 
vigor.  Still  there  are  capabilities  in  the  writer  of  '  Kismet'  even  higher  than  in 
that  of  the  writer  of  '  Mercy  Philbrick's  Choice.'  " 

"I  liked  it  extremely.  It  is  the  best  in  the  series  so  far,  except  in  con 
struction,  in  which  'Is  That  All?"  slight  as  it  is,  seems  to  me  superior. 
'  Kismet '  is  winning  golden  opinions  everywhere.  I  have  nothing  but  praises 
for  it,  and  have  nothing  but  praise  to  give  it." 

"  I  have  read  '  Kismet '  once,  and  mean  to  read  it  again.  It  is  thoroughly 
charming,  and  will  be  a  success." 

One  volume,  boo       in  cardinal  red  and  black.    Price  $1.00. 


it  is  often  astonishingly-fine  the  wit  oi 


Our  publications  are  to  be  had  of  all  booksellers.     When  . 
to  be  found,  send  directly  to 


ROBERTS   BROTHERS,    Publishers,  Boston. 


s 


*K 


&L 


NO    NAME    SERIES. 


A    MODERN    MEPHISTOPHELES. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


MOANS 

'JUL  3  i  198! 
^cr^i  i5^-O 

T<"0  Weeks  From  D*t.:  $  Rsceiof 


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URL 

SEP 11 1987 


i-M** 


-    — • 1|  111 1| nun 1 1 1  11  i   •  v  007 ' 

.-y  Philbrick's  Choice  'reads  3     l1  58     0023b     1O*« 

•  few  in  number;  there  is  nc  .     -,  j~*  n  is  niglily 

In  saying  this,  we  indicate  _  .v..u<uKaoie  story.  The  stage  properties  of 
•vents,  situations,  surprises  —  are  cheap,  and  easy  to  come  by.  It  js  the 
vhich  discards  these,  and  trusts  for  effect  to  truth  and  subtlety  of  character 
—  Boston  Transcript. 

el  wholly  out  of  the  common  course,  both  in  plot  and  style.  .  .  .  The  moral 
<  is  wholesome,  —  that  no  good  can  come  from  deceit,  and  that  the  relations 
innocent  love  should  be  frank  and  without  concealment.     Morbidness  works 
isery,  and  it  is  the  sane  and  sunny  and  sound  people  who  get  the  best  out  of 
—  Boston  Daily  A  dvertiser. 
.«•  ;rcy  Philbrick's  Choice  '  is  a  story  of  great  power,  great  depth  of  thought  and 
real  tenderness  and  reverence  for  the  truthfulness  of  truth,  and  great  insight 
.  .   .   We  dare  place  it  alongside  George  Eliot's  latest  in  point  of  poetic  m- 
>r,  and  knowledge  of  life,  and  to  say  that  it  is  superior  to     Daniel  Deronda  ' 
id  informed  .by  a  purer  and  deeper  philosophy."  —  Charles  D.  Warner,  in 
rrd  Courant. 

a  pleasure,  in  these  days,  to  get  hold  of  a  new  American  novel  which  mani- 
culture  and  literary  skill.  .  The  author  of  'Mercy  Philbrick's  Choice'  is 
woman  who  looks  upon  authorship  as  something  more  than  a  pastime,  — 
clear  intelligent  tastes  and  distinct  aspirations.      The  refined  quality  of 
impresses  itself  upon  the  story  from  first  to  last."  —  New  York  Tribune. 

. many  things  to  be  admired  in  this  novel.     The  artistic  delineation  of 

,nd  the  subtle  rendering  of  the  human  atmosphere  show  a  keen  appreciation 
ate  shades  which  make  personality  and  influence  the  life  of  ourselves  and 
The  Liberal  Christian. 

a  striking  and  touching  story,  —  this  new  one,  —  and  will  be  greatly  read  and 
it  deserves  to  be.  There  is  even  genius  in  some  of  its  touches,  which 
of  a  feminine  counterpart  to  Hawthorne.  "  —  Springfield  Republican. 
volume  is  interspersed  with  some  of  the  sweetest  poems  to  which  these  latter 
jven  birth,  showing  that  the  author  is  a  master  of  poesy  as  well  as  of  fas- 
ion."  —  Hartford  Post. 

:ory  of  the  simplest  motives,  but  as  lovely  and  heart-holding  as  a  sweet 
'  rery  page  is  endearingly  true  to  the  innermost  part  of  humanity,  and  the 
bes  the  workings  of  hearts  and  minds  with  no  less  faithfulness  than  she 
:  it  is  a  'she'  )  gives  exquisite  pictures  of  nature  and  the  handiwork 
ons  in  silence.'  The  story  is  from  the  pen  of  a  poet,  and  the  inter-current 
each  and  all  gems  of  '  ray  serene,'  not  too  flashing,  but  very,  very  appreciable 
lich  have  learned  how  to  weep."  —  Boston  Traveller. 

\  the  book,  which  is  fascinating.     The  author  is  certainly  a  woman.     And 
f>oet,  too,  of  no  mean  powers,  as  is  proved  by  the  half  dozen  short  poems 
jk.     The  sonnet  engraved  on  Mercy's  tombstone  is  not  surpassed  by  any  of 
rth."—  Troy  Whig. 
book  is  a  novel  only  in  the  sense  that  George  Eliot's  books  are  novels.   The 

.ibordinated^  to  *' '        '     inevitable  working  out  of  opposing  moral  forces. 

\cters,  we'1  *  them  are,  are  hardly  more  than  dial-pointers  on 

of  fate.  there  is  more  than  enough."  —  The  Unitarian 


th.    Gilt  and  red-lettered.    81.00. 
!ad  m.  Booksellers.     When  nt 
THERS,  Publish* 


